Industry Moves: May 2019

May 29, 2019: Tapestry Inc. has named former VF Corp. executive Thomas Glaser its new COO, effective July 15. Glaser, previously VF’s VP and president of supply chain, will have responsibility across supply chain and information technology areas at Tapestry. He will also have functional oversight of product development and manufacturing resources, distribution, logistics, replenishment, e-commerce fulfillment and IT. Glaser will report directly to the company’s CEO Victor Luis.

May 28, 2019: Walmart appointed Suresh Kumar as its chief technology officer and chief development officer, reporting directly to president and CEO Doug McMillon. Kumar was most recently at Google, serving as VP and GM of display, video, app ads and analytics. He also previously spent time at Microsoft and IBM and logged a 15-year stint at Amazon. His appointment mark’s Walmart’s latest move to transform its customer experience through technology.

Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar, Walmart’s new chief technology officer.
CREDIT: Suresh Kumar Walmart

May 21, 2019: J. C. Penney Co. Inc. has hired Shawn Gensch as its EVP and chief customer officer, effective June 3, reporting directly to CEO Jill Soltau. He will be responsible for driving aggressive “customer-centric” strategies to grow traffic, engagement and customer retention in addition to revitalizing the company’s brand, leading marketing initiatives across channels and shaping the company’s messaging as well as its digital experience. Gensch joins JCPenney from Sprouts Farmers Market, where he served as chief customer officer.

May 17, 2019: LVMH Moët Hennessy has appointed Véronique Gébel to lead Rihanna’s new luxury fashion label, according to Business of Fashion. The executive, who joined LVMH in 1997, will spearhead Fenty‘s ready-to-wear and accessories departments, including footwear. Gébel previously worked at Givenchy, Fendi and Louis Vuitton, where she most recently served as the latter’s director of women’s and men’s collections. She will report to LVMH executive committee member Jean-Baptiste Voisin.

May 13, 2019: Birkenstock Americas has named Louise Caldwell president and general manager of Birkenstock Natural Skin Care in the United States. She will oversee the category and spearhead the launch of the brand’s complete range this year. She will report to Oliver Reichart and Markus Bnesberg, CEOs of the Birkenstock Group, who also lead the recently established sister company Birkenstock Cosmetics in Germany. Caldwell has served more than 20 years in the beauty industry, including as VP of sales at Revlon and Elizabeth Arden.

May 13, 2019: Vionic Group has appointed Jerry Williamson to the role of SVP of global sales and Angela Caltagirone as its new SVP of digital and brand marketing. Williamson will lead the company’s domestic, international, home shopping and medical teams. Most recently, he served as the EVP of sales for Lucca Lane and Lattigo Footwear/Footwear Unlimited. Caltagirone will take charge of Vionic’s digital and marketing teams. Prior to joining the footwear brand, she worked with Williams-Sonoma, leading its digital transformation.

May 9, 2019: Bally has made two major management promotions. The Swiss luxury fashion house moved chief operations officer Nicolas Girotto up to the role of CEO and named longtime CEO Frédéric de Narp vice chairman. Prior to joining Bally in 2013, de Narp launched his career at Cartier, rising through the ranks to become president and CEO of its North America division, and subsequently worked as president and CEO at Harry Winston. He led revitalization efforts for Bally, readjusting the company’s positioning to return it to a position of profitability.

May 8, 2019: Saucony has announced the promotion of Joe Toth to VP of U.S. sales, effective immediately. Toth will report to president Anne Cavassa and is tasked with overseeing long-range planning, go-to-market strategies and building partner relationships within the U.S. region, the company said in a statement. Prior to his new role, he served as the GM of Saucony Canada. Toth joined the brand in 2013.

Saucony VP of U.S. sales Joe Toth
Saucony VP of U.S. sales Joe Toth
CREDIT: Saucony

May 2, 2019: Ed Gribbin has been named chief engagement officer at Impactiva. He will oversee the global business development team while continuing to serve on a number of boards in the retail, apparel and textile sectors, such as the American Apparel & Footwear Association and the International Apparel Federation. He previously served as president of Alvanon Inc. and is the founder and CEO of boutique apparel consultancy Gribbin Strategic LLC.

May 2, 2019: After serving as interim chief marketing officer since February, Ed Plummer has cemented his role at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The executive joined the company in 2010 as VP of customer relationship management in marketing and spent three years as SVP of Dick’s Team Sports HQ. The announcement was accompanied by the appointment of Steve Miller to the newly created role of SVP of strategy and analytics. He previously served as SVP of marketing and e-commerce at Jo-Ann Stores. Both leaders will report to Dick’s president Lauren Hobart.

May 1, 2019: Genesco Inc. has announced the appointment of Mimi Eckel Vaughn as chief operating officer, effective immediately. The executive, a 15-year veteran of the company, will also continue in her role as CFO until a successor is named. She joined the specialty retailer as VP of strategy and business development in 2003, moving up the ranks to assume the CFO position in 2015.

May 1, 2019: Alannah Weston has risen through the ranks at Selfridges Group to become chairman — a title previously held by her father, W. Galen Weston, who is now chairman emeritus. She had served as deputy chairman of the luxury department store company, and her promotion is part of a planned succession within the family business.

Alannah Weston
Alannah Weston
CREDIT: Richard Young/Shutterstock

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