People

Stuart Kessler is a Senior Advisor at PKF O’Connor Davies. For over 20 years, he has assisted numerous companies in the asset-based lending, healthcare, manufacturing, media, consumer product, retail, fashion, corrugated, cellular, specialty printing, construction and temporary staffing industries needing assistance with strategic, financial and operating alternatives. As part of these engagements, Stuart has served as interim CEO, COO and CRO. His areas of expertise include operations, logistics, process and productivity improvement, strategic financial planning, merchandising, restructuring, organizational planning and acquisition assessment.

Prior to his role at PKF O’Connor Davies, Stuart founded Clear Thinking Group LLC where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. He has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles within consumer product and retail organizations including: President, iSolve.com; President, Footlocker – Outlet Division; Chief Operating Officer, Champs Sports; Chief Operating Officer, F.W. Woolworth Division; Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Merchandising Officer Herman’s Sporting Goods; VP/General Merchandise Manager Ames Department Stores; and VP/General Merchandise Manager Fisher’s Big Wheel Inc.

Stuart has published and contributed to articles on topics such as turnaround strategies for consumer product companies during a pandemic, product and retail strategy, labor scheduling, sales trends, real estate trends, retail mergers and acquisitions, ecommerce retailing, merchandising trends and catalog retailing.