Herbert Mines Associates Assists PacSun with CFO Search
September 11, 2024 – New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Aina Konold as the new CFO of PacSun. She succeeds Russell Bowers, who was appointed chief operating officer of the company last year. “We are pleased to welcome Aina Konold to our leadership team as Pacsun’s new CFO,” said Brie Olson, CEO of PacSun. With Aina’s wealth of experience and extensive background in retail, digital, and international expansion, we are confident she will be a valuable addition to our team and a key driver in shaping PacSun’s future.”
“Special thanks to Kristin Dennehy and Herbert Mines Associates for your dedication and unwavering support in helping us find such a charismatic and talented leader to join our team,” said Ms. Olson said.
Ms. Konold has two decades of experience in specialty apparel retail. Most recently, she was CFO of BowFlex Inc., the fitness training equipment company, where she led finance, strategy, business development and IT functions. She has also held positions at Gap, Inc., notably as senior director of real estate strategy and finance at Old Navy, where she opened about 300 new stores, and as senior director of investor relations. Ms. Konold was the founding CFO of Gap Inc. China, working in Shanghai and opening nearly 200 stores, while launching e-commerce businesses across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“I am thrilled to join the PacSun team and contribute to the company’s ongoing growth and success,” Ms. Konold told Women’s Wear Daily. “With my background in specialty apparel retail operations, real estate strategy, international markets, and digital innovation, I am excited to collaborate with the team to drive expansion and elevate our customer experience.”
Pacific Sunwear of California, LLC, commonly known as PacSun, is an American retail clothing brand. The company sells lifestyle apparel, along with swim, footwear and accessories designed for teens and young adults. As of 2022, the company operates 325 stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Established in 1978, Herbert Mines is a specialist search firm focusing on the retail, fashion and apparel, beauty, consumer products and services, hospitality, leisure, restaurant, and digital/technology industries. The firm is noted for its C-suite recruiting work. Herbert Mines has had upwards of 3,600 searches during the tenure of Hal Reiter, who joined the firm in 1993 as president, and was appointed chairman and chief executive officer in 1998.
Brenda Malloy is the firm’s president. She brings over 40 years of experience to Herbert Mines Associates. During her career, she has authored numerous articles on retail CEO succession, omnichannel leadership, in addition to being a featured speaker at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York City. Working with leading retailers at the senior most–levels to assemble winning leadership teams, Ms. Malloy primarily recruits board directors, CEOs, and their direct reports for publicly traded, privately held and private equity backed companies spanning vertical specialty, lifestyle and branded retail, off-price/value, grocery, hardlines, mass, and the specialty department store sectors.
Related: Herbert Mines Associates Fills Board Position for Vera Bradley
Ms. Dennehy joined Herbert Mines Associates in 1996 as an associate and was named a principal in 1999. In 2005, she was promoted to vice president and in 2008, she was named managing director. Ms. Dennehy focuses on high-level searches within omni-channel retail, in addition to working with innovative, digitally native brands. Having completed over 300 searches during her tenure, her work spans global, publicly traded companies to smaller, high growth, private equity and founder-owned environments.
Ms. Dennehy is well-versed in the global product and merchandising talent landscape, and also has actively worked in marketing, eCommerce, human resources, finance, real estate, and operations. She has developed an expertise in the fashion, luxury, home and outdoor/active sectors. Ms. Dennehy has led C-level searches for both public and private companies including Banana Republic, The Container Store, Belk, Chico’s, PacSun, Paradies, and The Shade Store.
Past Assignment
Herbert Mines recently helped to recruit Mark Banner as the chief stores officer for National Vision Holdings, Inc. He succeeded Sharon Petitt, who previously held the role and helped the company open more than 900 new stores since 2006. “Mark’s strong belief in the importance of customer experience, his background in consultative selling, and his commitment to people align perfectly with our culture and values,” said Reade Fahs, CEO of National Vision. “I know Mark will be a strong advocate for our store associates, patients and customers, and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
A specialty retailer who joins the company after a seven-year tenure at Sleep Number, the company stated, Mr. Banner brings team leadership expertise in sales, sales operations, digital, promotion and real estate. Before Sleep Number, he dedicated 18 years to Signet Jewelers, a global specialty retailer jeweler, beginning his career at Signet as a store manager before rising through the ranks to district manager, vice president of regional operations, and ultimately, vice president of strategic integration.
Related: Herbert Mines Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Claire’s Holdings
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
