AlixPartners, the global business-advisory firm, today announced that Kevin G. Wills has joined the firm as managing director and chief financial officer (CFO). Most recently, Wills was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Saks Inc., owner of the Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks.com and Off 5th franchises, where he worked for nearly 16 years in various finance, strategic-planning, administration and operations positions. He also played an instrumental role in Saks’ recent sale to Hudson Bay Co. Wills replaces Ken Hiltz, who had been serving as AlixPartners’ interim CFO over the past several months in addition to his role as a managing director and consultant at the firm.<br /><br />Said Fred Crawford, CEO of AlixPartners: “Kevin’s in-depth experience in financial oversight, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, capital-structure management and investor relations are a great fit for our firm as we continue to execute our long-term strategic growth plans. We welcome him to our team, and at the same time thank Ken Hiltz for his excellent work these last months as interim CFO.”<br /><br />Said Wills: “AlixPartners is one of the preeminent global advisory firms, and I am excited to be joining the firm. Having worked directly with AlixPartners in the past, I know firsthand the value the firm provides and the quality of its associates. I very much look forward to playing a key role as the firm executes its long-term global growth strategy.”<br /><br />As CFO at Saks, Wills served on the executive committee and oversaw the company's capital structure and treasury operations. He had responsibility for accounting and financial reporting, internal audit, real estate, investor relations, strategic planning and international stores. He also led a recapitalization of the company in late 2008 and 2009 in response to a significant downturn in business brought on by the global financial crisis and ensuing recession. The resulting new capital structure eliminated liquidity concerns and enabled continued investment in key strategic growth areas.<br /><br />Earlier in his career at Saks, Wills served as executive vice president of finance and chief accounting officer, executive vice president of operations at the company’s Parisian chain, senior vice president of planning and administration, senior vice president of strategic planning and vice president of financial reporting.