DSW Inc. announced the creation of several new executive positions. The changes will create clear brand leadership following the 2018 acquisition of its Canadian business, formerly known as Town Shoes Limited (TSL), and Camuto Group.
Bill Jordan will be promoted to president of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, placing accountability for the entire DSW business in the U.S. and Canada under his leadership. Jordan joined the company in 2006 and previously held roles as DSW’s general counsel and chief administrative officer before being appointed president of TSL. In this role, he led its successful acquisition and integration, delivering strong results while turning the business around in 2018.
Mary Turner will be promoted to president of the Shoe Company and Shoe Warehouse banners in Canada, developing plans to expand these smaller-footprint family-friendly value chains in the U.S. Turner joined TSL in 2017 as chief merchandising officer and was later named chief operating officer. Previously, she was an executive with Hudson’s Bay Company for nearly 20 years.
Debbie Ferrée will be promoted to vice chair and president of DSW Inc. and will focus on growing strategic vendor relationships across all of the brands—critical work to ensure the long-term success of the entire enterprise. Ferrée, who serves as the company’s vice chair, was previously DSW’s chief merchandising officer, and has been with DSW since 1997. Ferrée will be succeeded as chief merchandising officer by Jim Weinberg, who has been with DSW since 2015 as general merchandising manager for the company’s women’s footwear and exclusive brands business.
Ferrée, Jordan, and Turner will join previously named Camuto Group President Simon Nankervis in reporting to DSW Inc. CEO Roger Rawlins.
“DSW Inc. experienced an incredible year of growth in 2018, acquiring two businesses and transforming our enterprise,” explained DSW Inc. Chief Executive Officer Roger Rawlins. “Our goal now is to connect resources and deliver growth across our enterprise. Creating president-level leadership and delineating our brands will create consistency and efficiency.”
Continued Rawlins, “I am thrilled to elevate Bill, Mary and Debbie to president positions, creating consistency across our brands, strengthening the organization’s succession plans and generating development opportunities for leaders and associates while we execute with focus and tempo as the most dominant footwear player in North America.”
The company’s organizational changes become effective February 3, 2019.
