Nashville, Tenn. — Kirkland’s board member and former long-time CEO, Robert E. Alderson, passed away in November 2016. Alderson had been a director of Kirkland’s since 1986 and served as the company’s CEO two separate times between 2001 and 2015.
Alderson also had served in numerous roles for Kirkland’s since joining the company in 1986, including president, chief operating officer, chief administrative officer, senior vice president and vice president. He was a driving force behind the company’s transformation from a regional retailer to a national chain and successfully led the company through an initial public offering in 2002.
“This is a sad day for those of us who worked closely with Robert as a leader and contributor to Kirkland’s growth over the past three decades,” says Mike Madden, Kirkland’s president and chief executive officer. “The thoughts and prayers of the Kirkland’s family are with his wife, Jane, and their daughters and extended family.”
Kirkland’s, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is a specialty retailer of home décor in the United States. Although originally focused in the Southeast, the company currently operates 404 stores in 36 states. For more information, visit www.kirklands.com.
SOURCE: Kirkland’s, Inc.