Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Taps O’Connor as New President and CEO

June 18, 2019  by Laurie Northington in Designer Weekly, Executive Changes, Industry   

After conducting a thorough search with executive recruitment firm Spencer Stuart, O’Connor was selected to spearhead the brand's next phase of growth. Mitchell Gold, co-founder, will remain as chairman focused on vision and strategy, and Bob Williams, co-founder, will remain as president of design. O’Connor will be based at the company's headquarters in Taylorsville, North Carolina.

"We are thrilled to have Allison coming aboard. She has a proven track record in building an omnichannel business with excellence. I know she will be a tremendous asset to our company," said Gold. "Allison has the skills—and equally important, the heart—to help us carry our ethos forward while keeping us at the forefront of our industry, as we have been over the last 30 years."  

O'Connor brings deep experience in both apparel and home specialty retail. She has over 30 years of merchandising and retail leadership at leading brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Terrain, and Williams-Sonoma. Most recently, she helped lead the expansion and growth of the Australian homewares brand, Sheridan. 

"Allison's experience is exactly what our company needs," said Williams. "When I first met her, I was taken with her intellect and warmth, and that she is a 'shopkeeper' at her core." 

"I have long admired and been a fan of the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams brand, and I am excited to be joining them as CEO," said O'Connor. "Together we will expand all facets of the business. The opportunity to start with a solid platform that is poised for additional growth was a key attraction for me."

"Mitchell and Bob have been terrific partners," commented Kent Sorrells, managing director of the Stephens Group, the company's principal investor. "Allison's joining reflects the evolution of the company into its next phase of expansion into a full omnichannel leader in the home furnishings space.  All of us look forward to supporting Allison in her new role."