Eye on Retail: At Home seeks CEO

A search is on to find a new leader for At Home, the home and holiday superstore,

The company said that its chairman and CEO will step down at the end of 2023. Lewis L. (Lee) Bird III is departing from the home goods retailer after 11 years with the company. Bird joined the company as CEO in December 2012 after leadership roles with companies including Nike and Old Navy. During his time, he oversaw At Home’s expansion from 58 stores and $364 million of revenue to 268 stores and nearly $2 billion in revenue today.

“Helping At Home become one of the nation’s top home décor retailers is one of the great honors of my career,” said Bird. “I want to sincerely thank everyone throughout the company who has contributed to At Home’s many achievements. Together, we have created a valuable, differentiated business with even more room for growth, and I’m confident in this team’s ability to continue to build on At Home’s track record of success.”

The board has begun a search to find At Home’s next CEO. The retailer has formed an Office of the CEO to assume the responsibility for leading the business, including Jeff Evans, president and chief merchandising officer; Jerry Murray, chief financial officer; and Ashley Sheetz, chief operating officer. Erik Ragatz, At Home’s lead director, will serve as executive chairman.

“On behalf of the company, I want to thank Lee for his tremendous leadership of At Home over the last decade,” said Ragatz. “Lee helped build At Home into one of the great retailers across industries. Today, At Home is the go-to destination for home décor and holiday shoppers across the country. As a leader and mentor, Lee has had a profound impact on At Home’s thousands of employees and will remain an important member of the At Home family for years to come.”

The Dallas, Texas-based retailer operates 268 stores in 40 states.