Brands
Nicole Miller Ltd, said in accordance with its succession plan after the death of CEO and co-founder Bud Konheim, that Nicole Miller, his long-time business partner and co-founder, will assume the additional role of CEO.
Miller, who previously served as president and head designer, will continue to personally oversee the development and expansion of the Nicole Miller brand, as well as the design and showing of the Nicole Miller Collection at New York Fashion Week and other venues.
In support of these developments, Cynthia Nixon, executive vice president of design, product development and licensing, is assuming the additional title of chief licensing officer and head of global brand development. Allison Hodge, a former vice president of communications for the company, is rejoining as vice president of communications and brand messaging, and Tony LoDolce, the company’s long-serving vice president of finance, will become vice president of finance and administration.
The company has also formed an advisory council to help guide the next stage of its growth. Current members include Alan Miller of ECI/Shanghai Shenda, the company’s production partner and licensee; Mary K. Dougherty, retail entrepreneur and independent brand consultant; Howard Krant, managing partner of Adeptus Partners, the company’s financial advisors; David C. Berg, the company’s outside counsel, and Larry Promisel, principal in LDP Digital Consulting.
Susan Gustafson has been named CEO of Worth Collection Ltd., a direct-to-consumer women’s fashion apparel company operating the luxury brand Worth New York and the contemporary brand W by Worth.
Gustafson joins Worth following a nationwide search, and after the company’s 2018 recapitalization by an affiliate of private equity firm New Water Capital. She was previously president of Ratner Companies, which manages the Hair Cuttery, Salon Cielo and Salon Plaza. While at Ratner Companies, she helped lead the revitalization for Ratner Companies resulting in the remodel and refresh of all salons, operations, and service delivery.
New Water Capital is a private equity firm focused on lower-middle market companies in transition, in the consumer, retail and industrial manufacturing and services sectors, with revenues of $30 million to $300 million.
Nike
Nike Inc. announced that Dr. John C. Lechleiter, a director of the company since 2009 and former chairman, president and CEO of Eli Lilly and Co., has decided to retire and will not stand for re-election to its board of directors at the September 2019 annual meeting of shareholders.
Nike said Lechleiter’s decision to retire was due to scheduling conflicts with other boards on which he presently serves. He will be succeeded by Michelle Peluso, a director since 2014, as chairperson of the Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability & Governance Committee of the board.
Saucony
Saucony, a division of Wolverine Worldwide Inc., appointed Nike veteran Shawn M. Hoy to vice president of global product.
In his new role, Hoy will be responsible for inspiring and guiding Saucony’s global brand footwear and apparel strategies, including design, development and product innovation. Hoy will report directly to Anne Cavassa, president of Saucony.
At Nike, Hoy held a variety of strategic planning and senior product roles, including the management of product portfolios in running, training, basketball and soccer. Prior to that, he worked as a management consultant with various firms, including McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.
Retail
Urban Outfitters Inc., which operates Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands, announced two changes at Anthropologie.
Andrew Carnie, president of home garden and international at the Anthropologie Group, will leave to return to his home in the U.K.
Hillary Super was promoted to global president of the Anthropologie Group. In addition to her current responsibilities overseeing the women’s apparel and accessories categories and the BHLDN bridal business, Super will assume oversight of the business segments previously reporting to Carnie.
Burlington Stores
Burlington Stores Inc. announced a leadership succession plan to guide its continued growth and success.
Thomas Kingsbury, chairman, president and CEO, will step down as CEO in mid-September, after more than 10 years in that role. Kingsbury will continue to support the company as executive chairman of the board of directors during a transition period.
Michael O’Sullivan, formerly president and chief operating officer of Ross Stores Inc., will join the company as CEO in line with Kinsbury’s departure and will also be appointed to the company’s board.
Jennifer Vecchio, chief merchandising officer and a principal of the company, was appointed to the newly created role of president and chief merchandising officer. She will continue to be responsible for merchandising and planning, and will also oversee marketing and strategy.
Chico’s
Chico’s FAS Inc. announced that Bonnie Brooks, former vice chair, president and CEO of Hudson’s Bay Company and a current member of the Chico’s board of directors, was appointed interim CEO of the company.
This appointment follows the resignation of Shelley Broader from her roles as CEO, president and as member of the board. Chico’s has engaged Herbert Mines Associates to search for a permanent CEO and president.
Brooks has been a member of the Chico’s board since 2016. She also serves on the board of Rogers Communications Inc., a Canadian diversified communications and media company, and is a trustee of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, a North American real estate owner and developer.
Hibbett Sports
Hibbett Sports Inc. announced that Christine Skold is temporarily joining the company as interim chief financial officer, succeeding Scott Bowman, whose resignation was announced on April 5.
Skold will oversee the company’s financial operations on an interim basis, while it conducts a formal search for a replacement. Skold served 15 years with Tractor Supply Company, holding several progressive positions in accounting.
Hibbett Sports also announced that Bill Quinn, vice president of digital commerce, and Ron Blahnik, vice president and chief information officer, were promoted to senior vice president roles.
Hibbett, headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., has 1,100 stores under the Hibbett Sports and City Gear banners, primarily located in small and mid-sized communities.
Logistics
Digital Container Shipping Association
Thomas Bagge was named CEO and statutory director of the new Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), formed by Ocean Network Express (ONE), A.P. Moller–Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC.
DCSA is aimed at driving standardization, digitization and interoperability in the ocean container freight industry.
Over the past 12 years, Bagge was involved in various transformation activities in Maersk covering people, process and technology.
Andre Simha, chief information officer at MSC was appointed chairman of the supervisory board of the DCSA. Also named to the supervisory board were Adam Banks, chief technology and information officer at Hapag-Lloyd; Martin Gnass, managing director of information technology at A.P. Moller–Maersk, and Noriaki Yamaga, managing director of corporate and innovation at ONE.
