Retail
Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. named Sonia Syngal, CEO of the company’s Old Navy business since 2016, as the company’s next CEO, effective March 23.
Syngal will also join the Gap Inc. board of directors. As Gap Inc.’s new CEO, Syngal’s top priority will be strengthening the performance of the portfolio.
The company also announced that board member Bobby Martin will assume the role of executive chairman, also effective March 23. Martin has extensive experience in the retail world, having served as president and CEO of Walmart International, as a former director at Dillard’s Inc., and as a member of the Gap Inc. board since 2002.
The company also announced the election of two new members–Elizabeth Smith and Amy Miles–to the board, effective April 1.
Smith is the former CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, where she drove efforts to adapt to the changing consumer landscape by redefining convenience for the casual-dining segment. Miles served as CEO of Regal Entertainment Group beginning in 2009, overseeing one of the world’s largest theater chains until 2018 when the company was acquired by Cineworld.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom Inc. dropped its dual-president structure, making Erik Nordstrom the sole CEO, while Pete Nordstrom gains the title of president and chief brand officer of the department store company.
Nordstrom also announced changes to its board of directors. The company has retained an executive search firm to identify replacements for Kevin Turner and Gordon Smith, who have declined to seek re-election at the annual shareholders meeting on May 20. The board size will shrink to 10 members from 11 members over the next two years, the company said, and independent directors will face a maximum term limit of 10 years.
HBC
Following the completion of a transaction to become a private entity, Hudson’s Bay Company said Helena Foulkes stepped down from her role as CEO.
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Richard Baker, HBC’s governor and executive chairman, will take on the CEO role in addition to his current responsibilities. He will be supported by the company’s senior leadership team, including the dedicated presidents of each retail business.
HBC is a diversified retailer with nearly 250 stores. Its leading businesses across North America include Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson’s Bay and Saks Off 5th. HBC also has significant investments in real estate joint ventures. It has partnered with Simon Property Group Inc. in the HBS Joint Venture, which owns properties in the United States. In Canada, it has partnered with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust in the RioCan-HBC Joint Venture.
Target
Target Corp. hired Heath Holtz as senior vice president (SVP), field operations. Holtz will oversee Target’s supply chain and logistics field network to support its more than 1,800 stores.
Holtz will report to Arthur Valdez, executive vice president (EVP) and chief supply chain and logistics officer.
Holtz comes to Target from Nissan Motor Corp., where he most recently served as SVP of manufacturing, supply chain management and purchasing in North America.
NRF
The National Retail Federation (NRF) hired Leon Buck as vice president (VP) of government relations, banking and financial services.
Buck joins NRF with 25 years of experience in government affairs and most recently was senior policy director/special projects coordinator for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.). Throughout his career, Buck has served as a lobbyist before the House Financial Services and Senate Banking Committees, and worked on the passage and enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the National Flood Insurance Reform Authorization and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.
Brands
Mango
Mango appointed Toni Ruiz as the company’s new CEO.
Ruiz has sat on Mango’s board of directors since 2015, when he joined the company as its chief financial officer (CFO). He occupied this role until October 2018, when he was appointed general manager of the company.
Following this appointment, Ruiz will occupy the top executive position within Mango. Isak Andic will continue to chair the Mango board that also includes Daniel López, director of expansion and franchises, and Jonathan Andic, director of man, image and communication. Based in Barcelona, the company has an extensive store network in 110 countries.
AAFA
The American Apparel & Footwear Association announced the transition of its board of directors leadership, and the addition of 18 new and re-elected members.
For the 2020-2021 term, Colin Browne, chief operating officer of Under Armour Inc., was named chairman. Sarah Clarke, VP for PVH Supply North America, was elected vice chairman. Ted Dagnese, chief supply chain officer at Lululemon Athletica, was elected secretary and Kurt Cavano, CEO of Nimbly, is the new treasurer. Past chairman Gary F. Simmons, director at Intradeco Apparel Inc., is also among the board leadership.
Also elected or re-elected to the board were Chris Alt of Elevate Textiles, Mark Burstein of NGC Software, Killick Datta of Global Brands Partners, David Edelman of Kenneth Cole Productions, Mike Faircloth of Hanesbrands Inc., Oscar Feldenkreis of Perry Ellis International, Tami Fersko of Li & Fung, Randy Fortenberry of Kontoor Brands, Mark Gitomer of Production Department, Alan Luchette of Marc Fisher Footwear, Richard Price of Fruit of the Loom, Robert Rothbaum of Val D’or Apparel, Peter Smith of Carter’s Inc., Harold Stone Jr. of Renfro Corporation and Christopher Volpe of United Legwear & Apparel Co.
Additionally, the board approved substituting representation for two members. Sunny Tan will represent Luen Thai, and Josue Solano will represent BBC International for the remainder of the 2020-21 term.
Callaway Golf
Callaway Golf announced that Joe B. Flannery joined the company as EVP for apparel and soft goods.
Flannery was most recently SVP and general manager of Newell Brands’ technical apparel division, consisting of Marmot, ExOfficio and Coleman apparel.
In his new role, Flannery will assume overall responsibility for global soft goods and apparel strategy for Callaway. He will report directly to the company’s president and CEO, Chip Brewer.
Superior Group
Superior Group of Companies Inc. announced that Michael Attinella resigned as VP, CFO and treasurer to pursue other opportunities. Attinella has agreed to assist in the orderly transition of his CFO responsibilities through March 13.
Andrew D. Demott Jr., the company’s chief operating officer, will reassume the CFO and treasurer responsibilities while maintaining his current responsibilities. Demott served as the company’s CFO and treasurer from 1998 until August 2018.
Superior Group of Companies, formerly Superior Uniform Group, is a combination of companies that provide uniforms and image apparel.
Technology
Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corp. announced a change in the leadership structure of its board of directors, effective after the company’s annual meeting of shareholders on April 23.
Patrick T. Siewert will serve as lead independent director following the annual meeting, subject to his reelection. Siewert will replace David E.I. Pyott, who has decided not to stand for reelection so that he may spend time on other endeavors.
Siewert currently serves as managing director and partner of The Carlyle Group. He was first appointed to Avery Dennison’s board in April 2005, and is currently serving as chair of its audit and finance committee.
Pyott was first appointed to Avery Dennison’s board in November 1999, becoming lead independent director in 2010.
Avery Dennison is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. Headquartered in Glendale, Calif.,the company reported sales in 2019 totaling $7.1 billion.
Flipp
Retail technology company Flipp named Rick Neuman as its first chief technology and product officer, reporting directly to CEO Wehuns Tan.
Neuman will be responsible for working closely with merchants to help them reach shoppers in new and innovative ways, while advancing the Flipp app to help more customers find value in their weekly shopping.
Neuman, who will be based in Toronto, previously held the role of CTO at Walmart Canada before moving onto Walmart International, where he most recently held the title of VP of technology strategy.
The Flipp app helps North Americans make the shopping process seamless and affordable by delivering local digital content to get the most out of their shopping and savings experience across categories that include apparel, grocery, home improvement, electronics and pharmacy.