Things Remembered Promotes Nelson Tejada And David Helkey

CLEVELAND, June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Things Remembered, the leading retailer of personalized merchandise and experiences, has announced the resignation of Lisa Gavales as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and the promotion of Nelson Tejada from Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer to President, and Dave J. Helkey, from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

In making the announcement, Michael Appel, Lead Director said, "We are very appreciative of the progress the company has made under Lisa's leadership. With her strong brand and product marketing prowess and vision for our iconic brand, she has laid the foundation from which we will achieve the company's sustained long-term success as an omni channel retail leader. She is leaving a strong leadership team in place.  We are exceptionally fortunate to have Nelson Tejada as Things Remembered's President. His outstanding knowledge of our industry, customers and customer service, assure us uninterrupted success in realizing Things Remembered's incredible growth opportunities."

Mr. Appel continues, "With Nelson's leadership, combined with Nelson and Dave's collective expertise with all aspects of our business, we are confident that they will aggressively advance our objective of selling beyond our traditional highly successful stores to become the leading omni channel retailer offering customers the widest selection of personalized merchandise wherever and whenever they want them."

Nelson Tejada re-joined Things Remembered in July 2015 as Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer.  In February 2016, he assumed responsibility for the company's Merchandise Planning and Allocation Department. In August 2016, his role was further expanded to Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandise Officer and Store Sales, where he leads the field organization and Store Operations.  He joined Things Remembered from Schurman Retail Group (SRG) where he was Chief Merchandising Officer since 2009. During his six years with SRG, Nelson had global responsibilities for 750 stores in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom.  Before SRG, Nelson was Vice President of Merchandising for American Greetings Retail Division, for four years. American Greetings consisted of 407 stores across North America.  His previous role with Things Remembered was from 2000 to 2005, as Vice President, General Merchandise Manager.  

Dave Helkey joined Things Remembered in January 2010 as Director, Financial Planning and Analysis.  He has held several key roles within the organization such as Director, Merchandise Planning and Allocation, and Vice President, Business Innovations.  In February 2016, Dave was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  He is responsible for Finance, Distribution, Fulfillment Center and Business Innovations. Prior to joining Things Remembered he was the Chief Financial Officer of two health care companies. Dave began his career at E&Y as staff/senior accountant and audit. His retail career began in finance with the Limited Brands. Dave holds a BSBA from The Ohio State University and he is a Certified Public Accountant.

About Things Remembered
Things Remembered www.thingsremembered.com is North America's leading retailer of personalized merchandise and experiences. We help customers create unique and personalized products for all of life's occasions - big and small.  With more than 468 stores in 45 states and in four Canadian provinces, and an online store that allows for home delivery and same-day pickup in-store, we help the customers shop when they want, where they want.  

For more information:
Melissa M. Krantz
Krantz & Company
917-653-6716
[email protected]

SOURCE Things Remembered

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