After taking Williams-Sonoma from four stores and a small catalog to a 630-unit empire, Howard Lester will retire as Chairman/CEO this May. Lester, who has been at the San Francisco-based since he
acquired the brand 31 years ago, will be replaced by Laura Alber as CEO.
Alber joined Williams-Sonoma in 1995, and was made president in 2006. The company also says its board intends to tap
lead independent director Adrian Bellamy as its non-executive chairman of the board. The company also owns such brands as Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Bed + Bath, and
PBteen.--Sarah Mahoney