As a member of Tiger’s Advisory Board, Stu Kessler serves as a resource for Tiger teams providing asset-value insights to lenders, inclusive of distressed and special situations (Valuation Services); delivering solutions to clients facing capital-structure challenges (Investment Banking), and serving as a capital partner to retail, wholesale, ecommerce and other borrowers (Finance).
Kessler cofounded the restructuring, bankruptcy and management consulting firm Clear Thinking Group in 2001, and for over 25 years his workout expertise and merchant’s understanding has benefitted a diverse array of clients across the U.S. economy, including the turnaround and nine-figure sale of Knights Apparel to HanesBrands.
The Pittsburgh native spent the first 25 years of his career in senior merchandising and C-suite executive roles at many retail and consumer products companies, including Foot Locker, Champs, Herman’s Sporting Goods, and Ames Department Stores. In 2025, he retired as CEO of PKF Clear Thinking LLC, a division of PKF O’Connor Davies.
Kessler attended the University of Pittsburgh.