board spotlight: John Tighe
John Tighe.
FSF Board President and President at Tailored Brands
Our newest Board President, John Tighe, sat down to share a little about his career journey, why the Fashion Scholarship Fund is important to support, and how chance decisions placed him in a career in retail.
FSF: Tell us about your career journey?
JT: I started in the Executive Training Program at Filene’s in Boston – my wife actually encouraged me to apply – and once I got started, I just fell in love with retail!
After spending time at Filene’s I was hired by Liz Sweney at JC Penney. Liz taught me so much about people and about product. I was fortunate to work across several divisions and in a lot of different roles. Liz became a mentor to me and in 2015 I succeeded her as Chief Merchant. From there, I went to Peerless as President of that organization where I applied a retailer’s eye while learning more about the wholesale business.
In 2021 I returned to retail, as the President at Tailored Brands. The team here had been on a journey before I joined, navigating both the pandemic and a bankruptcy, and through it all kept the company going and delivered for our customers. I admire our people so much and am excited about what we’re building together.
FSF: Why is the Fashion Scholarship Fund important?
JT: Well, I see retail as an experiential profession. By that I mean not only are you providing experiences to your customers, but it’s an industry that is highly interactive. The people who teach and mentor you also have a hand in your success. So it’s important that we think about how to provide that mentorship for the next generation and that’s where the FSF really comes in.
My dad was a bricklayer and in that profession, he had to apprentice and learn from a master bricklayer. I see our roles in retail in the same way – we need to give our time and attention to sharing our knowledge and experience with those who are earlier in their career journeys.
FSF: What advice do you have for members of the FSF Alumni community?
JT: Connect and give back. The person you help or provide advice to may be the one who does the same for you at some point. I remember hearing Jeff Kantor (now retired from Macy’s) speak when I was in college, and then I interviewed with him later in my career. For a time, we worked at competing businesses, but he always picked up the phone to give guidance or check in – that is at the heart of this industry and of FSF.