Tilly's Appoints Nate Smith as President and CEO

Tilly's, Inc. has appointed Nate Smith as President and CEO, effective August 18, 2025. Hezy Shaked will transition to Executive Chairman. Smith has experience as CEO of Marolina Outdoor and President of Americas at Boardriders. He previously held executive roles at Oakley, IPATH Footwear, MV Transportation, and Patagonia. Smith aims to revitalize the brand and improve business during this time.

IRVINE, Calif. -- Tilly's, Inc. (NYSE: TLYS) has appointed Nate Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 18, 2025. Hezy Shaked, the company's co-founder and current CEO, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman. This move comes amidst a series of strategic changes aimed at revitalizing the brand and improving business operations.

Nate Smith brings extensive experience in the retail sector, having served as CEO of Marolina Outdoor since September 2024 and previously as President of Americas at Boardriders from June 2017 to April 2024. Prior to these roles, Smith held executive positions at Oakley, IPATH Footwear, MV Transportation, and Patagonia. His appointment underscores Tilly's commitment to leveraging industry expertise to drive growth and innovation.

The appointment of Nate Smith follows a series of strategic initiatives by Tilly's, including partnerships with Impact Analytics for inventory optimization and business intelligence, and Nedap for elevating its omnichannel strategy. These moves highlight the company's focus on leveraging technology and data to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

Hezy Shaked, commenting on the appointment, stated, "On behalf of myself and the Board, we are very excited to have Nate join our leadership team, and I am looking forward to working closely with him as he transitions into Tillys." Shaked added, "We believe Nate’s combination of robust industry experience, core values, and strategic vision will help revitalize our brand and drive further improvements in our business during this important time" [1].

Smith, expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, said, "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a company like Tillys. Tillys has had a strong track record of success over its 43-year history, and I am excited to work with Hezy, the Board, and the team to revitalize and build upon that history" [2].

Tilly's, Inc. continues to face challenges, including persistent sales declines and macroeconomic headwinds. The appointment of Nate Smith and the strategic initiatives undertaken by the company indicate a proactive approach to addressing these challenges and positioning the brand for future growth.

References:
[1] https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/tlys/
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/TLYS/tilly-s-inc-announces-appointment-of-nate-smith-as-president-and-7o9wu2zwgtiz.html