Theophlius Killion is an American businessman who served as CEO of Zale Corporation from February 2010 to July 2014.[1][2][3][4][5] He also served as Director of Jewelers of America,[6] initially as interim CEO[7][8][9][10] and a member of the board of directors of Express, Inc.[11][12][13] His tenure led the failing Zale Corporation back from near-bankruptcy.[14]

Theo Killion
Born
Theophlius Killion
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Businessman and CEO
Known forCEO of Zale Corporation
Notable workReceived the M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Award from Texas A&M University

Education

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He was educated at The Hill School[15][16] and graduated cum laude from Tufts University with a bachelor's degree in history and English[17] and M.Ed from Tufts University in 1975.[18][19][20]

Career

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Previously, Killion worked at Tommy Hilfiger (company) as executive vice president of human resources and executive recruiter at executive search firm Berglass+Associates.[21] He held the post of the vice president of human resources of The Limited Brands from January 1996 to March 2004 and also served as its corporate vice president of HR for merchandising and design.

Killion served as the chief executive officer of Zale Corporation at Piercing Pagoda Inc. from 23 September 2010 to 2014. He held different positions during his service at Zale Corporation. In particular he served as an executive vice president of human resources, legal and corporate strategy for Zale Corporation from January 2008 to August 2008. He also was a president of Zale Corporation from August 5, 2008 to September 23, 2010 and interim chief executive officer from January 13, 2010 to September 23, 2010. Killion occupied the position of the chief executive officer of Zale Division and president of Zale Division at Signet Jewelers Limited from May 29, 2014 to July 31, 2014.

He has been pppManaging pppPartner of The Sierra Institute since November 2016. Killion served as vice chairman of Herbert Mines Associates, Inc. since May 2015 until March 2016. He served as an Independent Director at Libbey Inc. since May 2014 until May 17, 2017.[17]

Killion assumed the role of director at Tailored Brands since June 15, 2017. By March 2019, he had been named chairman of the Tailored Brands board.[22]

Awards

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In 2012, he accepted the M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Award from Texas A&M University.[23] He received the 2013 Dreambuilder Award from BlackGivesBack[24][25]

References

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  1. ^ "CEO Theo Killion out at Zale Corp. after Signet acquisition". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  2. ^ "Diamonds.net - Zale's Theo Killion Resigns in Signet Management Reshuffle". www.diamonds.net. 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  3. ^ "Theo Killion named New President of Zale Corp". Black Enterprise. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  4. ^ Halkias, Maria (September 7, 2013). "How Theo Killion Led a Turnaround at Irving-based Zale Corp". Dallas Morning News.
  5. ^ "Zale CEO resigns in post-merger shakeup". www.nationaljeweler.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  6. ^ "The Sierra Institute » Bio". Archived from the original on 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  7. ^ "Trio of Top Execs Exit Zale". Visual Merchandising and Store Design. 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  8. ^ "Gassman's Insider View: Zale's Goldberg Never Had a Chance". www.idexonline.com. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  9. ^ "IDEX Online Research: Zale Needs a CEO Now". www.idexonline.com. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  10. ^ http://www.rttnews.com/1179592/zale-ceo-neal-goldberg-quits-theo-killion-appointed-interim-ceo-update.aspxF [dead link]
  11. ^ Express. "Express Announces Theo Killion Appointment To The Board". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Zale CEO Killion resigns after leading the jewelry retailer through a turnaround and sale". 1 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  13. ^ Dealbook (14 January 2010). "3 Executives, Including C.E.O., Leave Zale". DealBook. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  14. ^ NEWS, MARIA HALKIAS THE DALLAS MORNING (15 September 2013). "Reviving Zale's". The Sun Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  15. ^ "The Hill School -> Theo Killion '70 to Receive Sixth Form Leadership Award, Serve as Commencement Speaker". Archived from the original on 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  16. ^ "NEWS 4 TEENS Phoenixville's Sadie Behrman: The girl who lived". 22 April 2013.
  17. ^ a b Theophlius Killion Retrieved on 28 Feb 2018
  18. ^ "9/21/17 | Austin | In Conversation with Theo Killion, Former CEO Zale Corp. — Texas TriCities — NACD". texastricities.nacdonline.org. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  19. ^ "LBY | Laybuy Holdings LTD. Profile".
  20. ^ "Class Notes". Tufts Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  21. ^ "Theo Killion named New President of Zale Corp. - Black Enterprise". www.blackenterprise.com. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  22. ^ Palmieri, Jean E. (2020-04-08). "Two Directors Resign From Tailored Brands' Board". WWD. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  23. ^ "Theo Killion - Mays Impacts". mays.tamu.edu. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Black Gives Back | Chronicling African American Philanthropy Since 2007".
  25. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2017-08-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)