Bed Bath & Beyond Builds Out Finance Team with Hiring of Former Tiffany Exec

Bed Bath & Beyond has named John Barresi as SVP of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, as the retailer continues to bolster its leadership team as part of its three-year transformation strategy.

Barresi will join Bed Bath & Beyond on June 7, 2021, reporting directly to EVP and CFO Gustavo Arnal. In the newly created role, Barresi will be responsible for the development and execution of all corporate accounting and financial reporting functions.

Barresi comes to Bed Bath & Beyond from Tiffany & Co., where he most recently served as VP of Global Business Transformation.

“John is a strong leader with broad business experiences and proven ability to effectively analyze complex financial issues with sound business judgment,” said Arnal. “As we continue to execute against our transformation plan and become a true omni-always retailer, we are pleased to welcome John to our finance leadership team and implement best-in-class corporate accounting practices.”

In tandem with Barresi’s hiring, the retailer also announced a number of other changes in senior finance positions, including:

• The promotion of Laura Crossen to SVP of Treasury, Tax, and Finance Transformation, effective immediately. Crossen has been with the company since 2001;
• The hiring of Susie A. Kim as VP of Investor Relations; and
• The hiring of Lisa Adinolfi as VP of Controls, Audit and Risk Services.

Other additions to the Bed Bath and Beyond leadership team in recent months include former JCPenney executive Stacey Shively as SVP and General Merchandise Manager for Home; former Wayfair executive Jill Pavlovich as SVP of Digital Commerce; former Walmart executive Jake Griffith as VP of Product Management; as well as two high-profile additions to the company’s marketing team.

Developments in the retailer’s transformation strategy this year alone have included the launch of a value-priced line of home essentials; the debut of an omnichannel branding campaign; plans to release at least eight new private label brands in fiscal 2021; and a $250 million technology upgrade.