THORNER, EX-AMES HEAD, JOINS BRADLEES AS VICE CHAIR
NEW YORK — Peter Thorner, former president and chief operating officer of Ames Department Stores, was named Monday as vice chairman of Bradlees Inc., a new position.
Thorner, who left Ames in mid-1994, also will assume the responsibilities of chief financial officer and will be responsible for distribution, information systems and loss prevention. He reports to Mark A. Cohen, chairman and chief executive officer.
Stephen Feldman, who was chief financial officer, left Bradlees at the end of 1994.
At Ames, Thorner led the discounter out of bankruptcy and is credited with returning the 306-store chain to profitability. He also held the acting ceo title at the Rocky Hill, Conn.-based Ames.
In a statement, Cohen said Thorner’s experience in large discount retail operations, merchandise distribution and management information systems will “greatly enhance” the Bradlees management team.
Cohen had been the chairman and ceo of Lazarus Department Stores, a division of Federated Department Stores, before joining Bradlees in December.
Bradlees, based in Braintree, Mass., operates 136 discount stores in the Northeast.