Wolverine Worldwide announced the resignation of Jim Gabel, president of its Performance Group, saying that he is relocating back to Canada for personal reasons. With his departure, Wolverine  is again reshuffling its brand management structure, creating a new operating group, the Wolverine Boston Group, to run the so-called Boston brands – Sperry, Saucony and Keds – that it took over three years ago. Merrell, Chaco, Cat Footwear, Hush Puppies and Sebago will all be part of the new Wolverine Outdoor and Lifestyle Group. The other brands – Wolverine, Bates, Harley-Davidson Footwear and HyTest – will belong to the Wolverine Heritage Group. A Consumer Direct Group will handle the network of Stride Rite children's stores, which is being pared down. The group's International Group will remain in place, but its head, Jim Zwiers, is being reassigned to run the new Wolverine Outdoor and Lifestyle Group. Zwiers will be replaced by Nick Ottenwess, who has been promoted from his role as senior vice president of finance and operations for The International Group. The president of the former Lifestyle Group, Richie Woodworth, will lead the Wolverine Boston Group. Ted Gedra will remain at the head of the Wolverine Heritage Group. More in Shoe Intelligence and The Outdoor Industry Compass.

Topics