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Kevin Burke to leave AAFA in January

18/12/2013
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has announced that Kevin Burke will step down as president and chief executive on January 21, 2014. He has led the organisation, which aims to be the political voice of the footwear and apparel industry in the US, for 12 years. The AAFA board of directors has said it will begin the process of finding a replacement for Mr Burke “as quickly as possible”.

AAFA chairman Philip Williamson, chief executive of workwear company Williamson-Dickie, said Kevin Burke had brought “a much-needed global vision to AAFA”. He went on to say: “With so many pressing policy issues facing the industry, including the near conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, time is of the essence. We will act quickly to ensure seamless continuity in both leadership and AAFA’s mission of standing at the forefront as a leader of positive change for the apparel and footwear industry.”

Under Kevin Burke’s leadership, AAFA has grown its membership to include more than 530 corporate members representing more than 1,500 footwear and clothing brands. More than 25% of the membership is now related to retail, which the organisation has described as “a dynamic shift” from its history as a manufacturing and wholesale organisation.

Mr Burke will be the new chief executive of the Airports Council International North America (ACI-NA), a Washington DC-based body that represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the US and Canada.

Related stories:

US footwear executives lobby for trade breaks 30/07/2014
AAFA names Burke’s successor 12/06/2014
AAFA calls for increased transparency 13/05/2014

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