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Also Known As Bruce Thorn
CEO of Big Lots
Bruce Thorn has served as President, CEO, and a member of the board of directors of Big Lots, Inc.(BIG)
since October 2018. Previously, Bruce was President and COO of Tailored Brands from 2015-2018, the parent company of Men’s Wearhouse, Joseph A. Bank, and Joseph Abboud brands. During his time at Tailored Brands, he led the company’s successful transformation strategy.
Prior to that, Bruce was at PetSmart from 2007-2015, during which time he served as the company’s EVP leading stores, supply chain, pet services, and PetSmart Canada. Before joining PetSmart, Bruce was COO of LESCO, Inc. where he co-led the company’s successful merger with John Deere in 2007. Bruce also led Global Engineering Services for Gap, Inc., as well as the distribution division for Cintas Corporation.
Before joining the business sector, Bruce earned the rank of captain and served in the U.S. Army’s 3-325 Airborne Battalion Combat Team based in Vicenza, Italy. He is airborne ranger qualified, a Gulf War veteran and was honorably discharged in 1994.
Bruce believes every difference makes a difference. In addition to sponsoring numerous diversity and inclusion endeavors, he created an endowment for the Excel Scholars program at the United States Military Academy. The program focuses on identifying and promoting high-performing cadets from underrepresented groups to strive for and attain Rhodes and other high-profile postgraduate scholarships.
His spirit of service extends to his role as a director on the boards of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. In addition to nonprofit boards, he is a member of the board of directors of Caleres, Inc.
Thorn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned an MBA from the University of Cincinnati.
