New company president for Caleres
Footwear group Caleres has appointed Jay Schmidt to the role of president of the company with immediate effect. He was previously president of the group’s brand portfolio division.
He will assume responsibility for all consumer and brand strategy for Caleres’ entire portfolio, which includes Famous Footwear, Allen Edmonds, Dr Scholl’s, Naturalizer, Sam Edelman and Vionic.
At the same time, Lydia Park Luis is joining the group to become president of its New York-based brands; she will also have responsibility for the company’s international business.
Keith Duplain has been promoted to president of its St Louis-based brand portfolio. He has been with Caleres for 15 years and has been leading the organisation’s sustainability efforts. And at the end of November, Michael Edwards was named president of Famous Footwear, the group’s largest brand.
Chief executive, Diane Sullivan, said: “This transformation will drive a renewed, consumer-focused approach that will combine the know-how of our internal resources with the fresh ideas of new industry talent and draw on the strengths of our entire portfolio in the most efficient and value-creating way possible.”
