New co-ceo at Restoration Hardware

-- Home Textiles Today, 5/6/2010 8:23:00 AM

Corte Madera, Calif. – Restoration Hardware has hired former Guess Inc. exec Carlos Alberini as co-ceo and a director of the company.

At Guess, he served as the president, chief operating officer and director since December 2000. 

Alberini will report to Restoration Hardware's chairman Gary Friedman, who had been sole ceo. 

Friedman will continue to oversee creative, merchandising, and marketing functions, and Alberini will manage operations, finance, supply chain, inventory, IT, stores, and human resources. Alberini will also continue to serve as a board member at Guess.

Friedman stated, "I am thrilled to have Carlos as my partner.  These are exciting times for Restoration Hardware, and this appointment reflects the strong performance we are experiencing as well as the significant growth potential we see before us."

Alberini described Restoration Hardware as “uniquely positioned in the marketplace, [with] a strong infrastructure ready to support explosive growth is in place, and the opportunities for expansion are limitless."

Prior to joining Guess, Alberini was senior vp and cfo of  Footstar, and vp of finance and acting cfo of Melville Corporation. He had previously served as senior vp, cfo and treasurer of The Bon Ton Stores after beginning his career with Price Waterhouse.