Pacsun names CEO
Pacsun is taking away the “co” from its CEO title.
The teen apparel retailer appointed Brie Olson as CEO, effective June 15. Olson, a board member, was named co-CEO alongside Mike Relich earlier this year. She succeeded Alfred Changm who left Pacsun after 17 years.
Relich will retire as co-CEO. He will continue to serve on the Pacsun board in a new role as vice chairman.
"I am very proud to have helped position Pacsun as an industry leader and I look forward to continuing to work with the Pacsun team and Golden Gate Capital as vice chairman of the board,” said Relich. “Brie is an exceptional leader and I am excited to watch the company continue to flourish with her at the helm."
Olson has over two decades of experience in the retail industry, including 17 years at Pacsun. Prior to becoming co-CEO in March 2023, she held the titles of president, chief brand officer, chief merchandising officer and senior VP of merchandising and design.
Since becoming co-CEO, Olson has been responsible for leading Pacsun's brand strategy, including spearheading the company's latest collaboration with Formula 1 at the Miami Grand Prix and launching PS Reserve, a custom curated retail resale platform.
In addition, she is credited with opened a slate of new stores in premier locations and establishing a new feedback channel between store staff and Pacsun's buying and design teams.
[Read More: First Look: Pacsun unveils new store design]
During her tenure with Pacsun, Olson introduced Pacsun's first gender-neutral collection and oversaw the chain’s entry into the kids' category with Pacsun Kids.
“Brie is a respected veteran and bold pioneer in the fashion industry and has been a key driver of Pacsun's success,” stated Neale Attenborough, a managing director at Golden Gate Capital. “She has gained critical expertise in numerous leadership positions during her 17 years at the company and has her finger on the pulse of emerging brands and trends. The board has the utmost confidence that Pacsun will continue to thrive under her leadership."
In other appointments, Russell Bowers will be appointed COO. He will continue to serve as Pacsun CFO, overseeing finance, operations, and information technology functions in his expanded role.
“Russ has been a tremendous asset to Pacsun since he joined the company in 2017, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have with his broadened role in the company as COO and CFO,” stated Mike Montgomery, a managing director at Golden Gate Capital.