Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. has appointed Richard E. White as Chief Executive Officer of the company. Mr. White has been a member of Company's Board of Directors since May 2004. James Riedman, formerly Chairman and CEO, will retain the title of Chairman, and will continue to play an active role in the strategic development and operation of the company.
Richard E. White has 18 years of product marketing and brand management experience in the marketing and footwear industry. Mr. White was a consultant to trade associations and sports organizations from 2002 to June 2004 and from 1999 to 2002 served as the President and CEO of Reed Exhibitions, North America (RX), the largest business-to-business event organizing company in North America. During Mr. White's stewardship, Reed Exhibitions was the first on the “Trade Show Week 200” list of top domestic show organizers for three consecutive years. Prior to serving at Reed Exhibitions, Mr. White was General Manager of Subsidiary Brands at Nike from 1997 to 1999, where he managed Bauer Nike Hockey, Cole-Haan and Nike Team Sports. He directed the Cole-Haan strategic repositioning and assembled its current management team, leading to innovations such as incorporation of Nike Air cushioning technology into Cole-Haan footwear and a revitalized design approach. Mr. White has also held product-marketing positions at Strategic Merchandising Associates, Major League Baseball and MLB Properties (MLBP), and was President and CEO of MLBP for 7 years.
