Shoes For Crews LLC named Donald Watros as president and chief executive officer, effective October 30, 2017. Watros will also join the company’s Board of Directors. Stuart Jenkins, current president, CEO and chief innovation officer, will leave the company.
Watros has nearly 30 years of experience in management, finance and operations within the retail space. He most recently served as president of Hudson’s Bay International, a division of diversified global retailer Hudson’s Bay Company, where he was responsible for exploring, acquiring and integrating international businesses.
“Don is the ideal leader for Shoes For Crews, bringing the right industry knowledge and skill set to successfully execute our strategy, serve our customers, and continue our mission of keeping workers safe,” said Matt Smith, chairman of Shoes For Crews. “He’s an industry veteran and a proven leader in the retail space, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
“Shoes For Crews is a pioneer in its industry with a differentiated business model, many long-standing customer relationships and innovative slip-resistant proprietary technology,” said Watros. “I look forward to working alongside the talented team at the Company and the Board as we leverage the Company’s strengths to drive sales and continue to make the highest-quality, most effective slip-resistant footwear.”
Smith continued, “We are grateful for the many important contributions Stuart made to expand our business and significantly enhance our approach to innovation, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Watros led the team that, in 2006, began the consolidation of multiple international department stores which would eventually become Hudson’s Bay Company as it is known today, as Managing Director of Retail Operations at NRDC Equity Partners. During that time, he held various senior management roles within Hudson’s Bay Company and its department stores, including serving as President of Hudson’s Bay Company from 2013 to 2015. Prior to NRDC and Hudson’s Bay Company, Watros served in financial and operations roles of increasing responsibility at Saks Fifth Avenue and the May Department Store Company.
Watros holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics and Business Management from Cornell University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from SUNY Binghamton.
Shoes For Crews is a leading designer and manufacturer of slip resistant footwear worldwide. Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, Shoes For Crews began producing slip-resistant footwear in 1984 with a mission to create a safer workplace in industries where floor hazards are a reality. Culinary footwear brand MOZO and work boot brand ACE are also part of the Shoes For Crews family of brands. The December 2016 acquisition of SureGrip has made it possible for Shoes For Crews to offer brands including New Balance and Dockers, and coming soon Johnston & Murphy.
