Brown Shoe announces changes at the top
18/11/2009
Footwear group Brown Shoe Company will make a series of changes to its leadership team at the start of next year.
Division presidents for wholesale and retail, Gary Rich and Joe Wood, have both announced their plans to retire in 2010. Both will remain with Brown Shoe until early 2010 to hand over their responsibilities to executives that are already with the company.
In making the announcement, Brown Shoe president and chief operating officer, Diane Sullivan, commented: “Over his more than 20 years with Brown Shoe, Gary Rich has had a positive and lasting influence on many of our wholesale brands. He also established Brown Shoe’s leadership in the celebrity artist category by forging partnerships with top entertainers like Carlos Santana, Fergie and Reba McEntire. Gary’s emphasis on retail partnerships and keen consumer insights are the foundation for this area of our business, and that spirit will remain as we continue its growth.”
With regard to Joe Wood, she said that, since joining the company in 2002, his vision and focus on Brown Shoe customers had "guided outstanding work across the organisation". She said he had been instrumental in growing the group's retail chain, Famous Footwear, into one of the largest footwear retailers selling brand name shoes in the US. The chain now has 925 stores.
Ms Sullivan commented: "The collaborative relationships Joe Wood has built with vendor partners ensure our shoppers will find a fresh assortment of the brands they love, and the right shoes at the right time. Through these and countless other initiatives, Joe has become an indelible part of Famous Footwear’s legacy.”
Rick Ausick, currently in charge of six Brown Shoe brands, will assume the role of division president for Famous Footwear. Mark Lardie will assume the role of division president for wholesale, with responsibility for three Brown Shoe brands and the company’s specialty retail stores. Dan Friedman will be named division president for wholesale, product and sourcing, with oversight of women’s specialty, children’s and celebrity artist brands.
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