Jeff Stroud back in fold

By Andrea Lillo -- Home Textiles Today, 4/23/2001 12:00:00 AM

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA — Specialty retailer Strouds announced that Jeff Stroud is returning to the retailer that his father Bill built, where he previously spent nine years before leaving for e-commerce site iHome.com.

This came during the same week that the West Coast chain announced that the bankruptcy court approved Strouds' sale to Strouds Acquisition Group, comprised of Strouds' senior management and Cruttenden Partners, for approximately $39.5 million.

"We are excited about Jeff rejoining Strouds," said Robert Valone, who will become president of the new company. "His experience and knowledge of the company's history will be invaluable as we return the company to profitability."

As vp, stores, Stroud will oversee all 50 full-line and outlet stores as well as Internet sales.

"I'm thrilled with this opportunity. Strouds now has the proper financing and management to compete," said Stroud. "I am looking forward to being an integral part of the comeback of Strouds. It is important for Strouds to return to the values that the company was founded upon by my father."

Stroud was previously vp of merchandising for iHome.com, which stopped taking orders in March. He spent 1990 through 1999 at Strouds.