Attached files
| file | filename |
|---|---|
| 8-K - FORM 8-K - CALERES INC | bws8k111709.htm |
| EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - CALERES INC | bws8k111709ex99_1.htm |
Exhibit
99.2
News
| For immediate release | |
| NYSE: BWS | |
| Contact: | |
| Erin Conroy, Brown Shoe | |
| 718.913.0960, econroy@brownshoe.com | |
Brown
Shoe Announces Changes in Senior Leadership
ST. LOUIS
(November 17, 2009) – Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (NYSE: BWS, www.brownshoe.com)
will make a series of changes within its leadership team as Division
President-Wholesale Gary Rich and Division President-Retail Joe Wood announce
their plans to retire in 2010. Both will remain with Brown Shoe until
early 2010 to facilitate an orderly succession of their responsibilities to
leaders within the company, all of whom have had increasing responsibilities in
recent years and also bring significant industry experience to their new
roles.
“Over his
more than 20 years with Brown Shoe, Gary Rich has had a positive and lasting
influence on many of our wholesale brands, from the revitalization of
Naturalizer in 2004 that increased our ability to bring consumers the comfort
and style they expect, to the continuing development of Dr. Scholl’s into a
leading footwear brand. 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,” said
Brown Shoe President and Chief Operating Officer Diane Sullivan.
Sullivan
continued, “Since joining the company in 2002, Joe Wood’s vision and unrelenting
focus on our customers have guided outstanding work across the organization in
growing Famous Footwear into one of the largest footwear retailers selling brand
name shoes for the entire family. The collaborative relationships he
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 Division President-Brown Shoe Wholesale with responsibility
for Naturalizer, Via Spiga, Franco Sarto, Etienne Aigner, Vera Wang Lavender and
Nickels Soft, will assume the role of Division President-Famous
Footwear. Ausick joined the company in 2002 as Famous Footwear’s
Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, and worked closely with
Wood as the chain transformed into a compelling retailer of nationally
recognized brands for the family offering consumers convenience and everyday
value. Ausick assumed his wholesale responsibilities in
2006.
Mark
Lardie will assume the role of Division President-Wholesale, with responsibility
for Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl’s and LifeStride, as well as the company’s specialty
retail stores. Lardie joined Famous Footwear as Vice
President-General Merchandise Manager in 2005, and was named Senior Vice
President-General Merchandise Manager in 2006. He has worked closely
with the buying teams to enhance the chain’s footwear offering for
consumers.
Dan
Friedman will be named Division President-Wholesale, Product and Sourcing, with
oversight for Women’s Specialty, Children’s and celebrity artist brands,
including Carlos by Carlos Santana and Fergie. Friedman joined Brown
Shoe in 2006 as Senior Vice President-Product Development and Sourcing, and will
maintain his responsibility for the company’s worldwide sourcing operations and
product development initiatives.
Clay
Jenkins will assume the role of Senior Vice President-Specialty Brands, adding
Brown Shoe’s celebrity artist lines to his current responsibility for Women’s
Specialty and Children’s. Jenkins has held a series of positions
since joining Brown Shoe in 1989, most recently Senior Vice President-Brown
Wholesale.
Jay
Schmidt will expand his current role to become Senior Vice President-Wholesale,
Better and Image Brands, adding responsibility for Franco Sarto, Etienne Aigner
and Nickels Soft to his oversight of Via Spiga and Vera Wang Lavender
Label. Schmidt joined Brown Shoe in 2008 as Senior Vice President and
General Manager-Image Brands.
John
Mazurk will assume the role of Senior Vice President-Consumer and Retail
Business Development, with oversight for the Direct to Consumer area, including
shoes.com and other branded e-commerce sites, and will spearhead the creation of
a dedicated digital and social media competency. Mazurk joined the
company in 2002 as Senior Vice President-Retail Sales for Famous Footwear, was
named Senior Vice President-Specialty Retail including Naturalizer retail in
2005, and additionally assumed Naturalizer wholesale in 2008.
“Gary’s
and Joe’s leadership, innovation, bold moves and passion for the customer have
been instrumental in driving growth at Brown Shoe. Their countless
contributions have set the cornerstone for building the future of this company,
and I thank them for their dedication. Brown Shoe’s philosophy on
seeking out and developing top talent ensures we have the right people within
the company to manage through this change while retaining our consumer
focus. I am confident our leadership team will continue to
consistently deliver style, convenience, quality and value to our customers,”
said Brown Shoe Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ron Fromm.
###
About
Brown Shoe
Brown
Shoe is a $2.2 billion footwear company with global operations. Brown Shoe's
Retail division operates Famous Footwear, the more than 1,100-store chain that
sells brand name shoes for the family, approximately 300 specialty retail stores
in the U.S., Canada, and China primarily under the Naturalizer brand name, and
footwear e-tailer Shoes.com. Through its Wholesale divisions, Brown Shoe markets
leading footwear brands including Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl's, Franco Sarto,
LifeStride, Etienne Aigner, Via Spiga, and Sam Edelman. Brown Shoe press
releases are available on the Company's website at http://www.brownshoe.com