Michael Appel is Managing Director and Retail Practice Leader at Getzler Henrich & Associates LLC, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected middle-market corporate restructurings and operations improvement firms.
 
Previously, Mr. Appel served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Rue21, the 700-unit omnichannel fast-fashion retailer, where he led the company’s successful turnaround from its emergence from Chapter 11 between 2017 and 2020.
 
Additionally, Mr. Appel has expertise in women’s apparel, accessories, menswear, childrenswear and all categories of home furnishings across department stores, specialty stores, luxury, off-price and direct response channels of distribution.
 
He graduated from Brandeis University and holds a master of business administration with distinction from Harvard Business School.