Former A.T. Cross CEO “Volunteering” at RI Commerce Corp — Is a Shake-Up Coming?

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

GoLocalProv News Team

It is not too often that one of the state’s top CEOs volunteers for state government.

Charles “Chad” Mellen, the former Chief Executive Officer of A.T. Cross Company from 2013 to 2015 is reportedly “volunteering” at the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and is now working out of the office of the dismissed Betsy Wall. Wall was the Chief Marketing Officer of Commerce and oversaw the failed launch of the Rhode Island tourism campaign.

Wall, who resigned under pressure two weeks ago, and Stefan Pryor, the Secretary of Commerce, were both roundly criticized for their management of out-of-state vendors and the development of a tourism logo, tagline, promotion video and website — all marred in errors.

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Is a Reorganization Coming?

As recently as Monday, Mellen spent hours meeting with Pryor and other top staffers.

Commerce Corporation refuses to respond to questions about Mellen’s role at Commerce, but according to multiple sources he has been onsite two to three days most weeks.

At A.T. Cross, Mellen said he “recruited and consistently promoted to reignite global growth and reinvigorate sagging $100+million accessories brand. Leveraged strategic thinking and tactical execution prowess to tackle a myriad of business challenges in ascent to, and tenure as, CEO,” according to his bio.

Mellen was replaced at A.T. Cross in August of 2015 by Robert (“Bob”) Baird who previously had been CEO and President of the sports portfolio of Dorel Industries, a $1.1 billion in revenue global business which owns such brands like Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, and Mongoose.

Rumors are rampant that Mellen may be hovering in case Pryor is pushed out or leaves on his own. Before serving as CEO, he was President AT Cross Company’s accessory division
for eight years.

He is a 1985 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

Editor's Note: Two weeks after initially inquiring about Mellen's role, Commerce spokesperson Kayla Rosen provided GoLocal with the following statement the day after this article was published.

“Secretary Pryor reached out to Chad Mellen, former CEO of A.T. Cross Company, and invited him to serve as a volunteer advisor on a short-term basis at the Commerce Corporation, assisting with management of projects in different parts of the agency. At Secretary Pryor’s request, Chad has started by helping with our marketing efforts, given his expertise in the area. We’re grateful that Chad has stepped up and offered his valuable volunteer service.”