François Payot, the French executive who set up Rip Curl’s European operations under the name of Frog’s in 1982, has been promoted as president of Rip Curl Group, with global responsibilities. He replaces David Lawn who is leaving the company while returning to his native Australia after running Rip Curl’s struggling U.S. business since February 2003. Kelly Gibson, a 42-year-old former surf professional born in California, is replacing Lawn as president of Rip Curl USA. Kelly joined O’Neill Clothing USA in 1999 and has been its president since 2002, but he is leaving that company. Payot, a Frenchman, remains as European president of Rip Curl and as president of EuroSIMA, the European Surf Industry Manufacturers Association.