Executive Biographies

Michael Edwards
Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer

Michael Edwards was named Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer in September 2009. He brings more than 26 years of retail experience to his role at Borders, where he is responsible for developing and executing merchandising and marketing strategies. He leads teams responsible for buying and merchandising, inventory allocation and control, supply chain, customer relationship management, marketing and e-commerce.

Prior to joining Borders, Edwards was President and Chief Executive Officer for Ellington Leather, a Portland, Ore-based leather handbags and accessories wholesaler with products sold through specialty stores including Clarks and Eddie Bauer, as well as online merchants and national catalogs including Garnet Hill. From 2004 through 2007, Edwards was President and Chief Executive Officer for Portland-based lucy Activewear. There, he expanded the store base, created a new prototype store, re-launched the e-commerce site and strengthened the private label program, driving improved profits and returns. He ultimately led a successful acquisition of lucy by VF Corporation. Prior to lucy, Edwards was Executive Vice President, Operations for fabric and specialty craft retailer Jo-Ann Stores with over 750 stores. His career also includes senior executive leadership positions in merchandising and operations with boat accessory and supply retailer West Marine, Inc., and golf equipment retailer Golfsmith, as well as eight years with CompUSA, where he was a member of the executive team that grew the computer specialty retailer from seven stores to over 240 locations through an IPO in 1993. Edwards has also held buying and merchandising posts with discount retailer Target Corporation and the May Department Store Company.

Edwards earned a bachelor's degree in business and marketing in 1983 from Philadelphia's Drexel University. He currently serves as a trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers, as well as Chairman of the board of directors of Muttropolis, Solana Beach, Calif.