# Michael Mathias

> Michael A. Mathias is a Pittsburgh-based retail finance executive and strategic advisor to American Eagle Outfitters chairman and CEO Jay Schottenstein. He joined AEO in 1998, returned in 2017 after a role at GNC, and served as executive vice president and CFO from April 2020 to August 2026. His experience spans store finance, e-commerce, merchandise planning, strategy, and operations.

- **Role:** Strategic Advisor to the Chairman and CEO at American Eagle Outfitters Inc.
- **Organizations:** American Eagle Outfitters Inc., General Nutrition Centers, Inc., May Company, NACD Three Rivers Chapter
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Master of Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh - Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
- **Known for:** Progressed from stores and operations finance to AEO chief financial officer., Served as CFO during fiscal 2024, when AEO reported $5.3 billion in revenue and $445 million in adjusted operating income., Accepted the 2025 Pitt Business Corporate Appreciation Award on behalf of American Eagle; the award recognized the company.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1998** — Began his career at the May Company.
- **1998** — Joined AEO as manager of finance for stores and operations.
- **2016-2017** — Served as vice president, financial planning and analysis at General Nutrition Centers.
- **2017** — Returned to AEO as senior vice president, financial planning and analysis.
- **2020-04** — Appointed AEO executive vice president and chief financial officer.
- **2025** — Joined the NACD Three Rivers Chapter board, according to his LinkedIn profile.
- **2026-08** — Became full-time non-executive strategic advisor to Jay Schottenstein; Ravi Thanawala succeeded him as CFO.

## Achievements

- Progressed from stores and operations finance to AEO chief financial officer.
- Served as CFO during fiscal 2024, when AEO reported $5.3 billion in revenue and $445 million in adjusted operating income.
- Accepted the 2025 Pitt Business Corporate Appreciation Award on behalf of American Eagle; the award recognized the company.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Moved to strategic advisor to chairman and CEO Jay Schottenstein, effective August 3; the announced arrangement calls for support through July 30, 2027.
- **2026-07** — AEO announced Ravi Thanawala as his successor and collaboration through the remainder of fiscal 2026.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mathias-39a6794

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-mathias
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21