SUSAN P. MCGALLA
Chief executive
Wet Seal Inc., Foothill Ranch
Born in East Liverpool, Ohio
Age: 47
Lives in Laguna Niguel
WHY: Oversees OC’s largest teen retailer for girls, helps sets trends for youth market.
HOW: Joined Wet Seal January 2011, replacing former Chief Executive Ed Thomas. Charged with completing turnaround at Wet Seal. Made mark early on with appointment of new president, chief operating officer. Previously served as president, chief merchandising officer at Pittsburgh-based American Eagle Outfitters Inc. Credited with launching aerie and 77 kids brands, growing American Eagle to 1,100 stores and $3 billion in annual revenue. Held merchandising, management positions at Pittsburgh department store chain Joseph Horne Co. before American Eagle.
RECENT: Aiming to boost sales at both Wet Seal and Arden B divisions with new merchandise mix, store makeovers. Market research completed last year could help better define Wet Seal brand.
INTERESTS: Family, running, yoga, sports, outdoors.
PERSONAL: On board of commercial real estate financial firm HFF Inc.; University of Pittsburgh trustee.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing from Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio.
FAMILY: Husband Stephen, wealth manager; two children.
—Kari Hamanaka
GARY H. SCHOENFELD
Chief executive
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc., Anaheim
Born in Seattle
Age: 49
Lives in Los Angeles
WHY: Leads largest retailer in action sports segment.
HOW: Spent nine years at OC-based Vans Inc., leading turnaround, sales growth up until VF Corp. acquired company in 2004. Vice chairman, president, co-chief executive of product licensing and marketing company Global Brands Group. Sat on boards for Canadian retailer Aritzia Inc., 24 Hour Fitness and others. Named Pacific Sunwear chief executive in 2009, replacing Sally Frame Kasaks.
RECENT: Pacific Sunwear working on turnaround, in process of shutting about 100 stores this year, with plans to eventually close as many as 200 underperformers. Chain placing more focus on emerging, proprietary brands in stores.
COMMUNITY: Board of Visitors of UCLA Anderson School of Management.
INTERESTS: Skiing, surfing.
PERSONAL: Clothing business runs deep in family. Grandfather started necktie business. Father Walter ran Vans, founded Britannia Sportswear, acquired by Levi’s in early 1980s.
EDUCATION: Bachelor in economics from University of California, Los Angeles; Stanford business degree
FAMILY: Wife Michelle, three children.
—Kari Hamanaka
HEZY SHAKED
Chairman, chief strategy officer
Tilly’s Inc., Irvine
Age: 57
Lives in Laguna Niguel
WHY: Action sports retail veteran has chain on sharp growth trajectory; recently completed IPO.
HOW: Opened first store with ex-wife Tilly Levine in 1982 in Los Alamitos. Formed parent company World of Jeans & Tops in 1984. Tilly’s has since grown to 140 stores, entered 29 markets in past five years.
RECENT: Stepped down from chief ex-ecutive position Feb-ruary 2011, hired former Coldwater Creek Chief Executive Daniel Griesemer for job. Public offering closed up 10% from $15.50 offering price. Tilly’s set to open 21 stores this year. Ten-year plan calls for chain to grow to more than 500 stores.
FAMILY: Two daughters.
—Kari Hamanaka
OTHER MEMBERS
FLETCHER “TED” JONES JR.
Chief executive, president
Newport Beach-based Fletcher Jones Management Group Inc., owner of Fletcher Jones Motorcars
DAVID WILSON
Chairman, chief executive
Orange-based David Wilson Automotive Group, owner of Toyota of Orange, Newport Lexus, other dealerships
