The Stride Rite Corporation of Collective Brands, Inc. has hired Gregg Ribatt as the president and chief executive officer for The Stride Rite Corporation reporting to Matt Rubel, president and chief executive officer of Collective, to lead and direct the growth and brand-building of Stride Rite's premium lifestyle, athletic and children's brands.
Ribatt, 39, most recently president and chief executive officer of Stuart Weitzman Holdings, LLC, will start in this role Jan. 7. He will be responsible for managing all operational aspects for Stride Rite's business including product design and development, growth of its premier brands, as well as the operation of approximately 300 Stride Rite stores. Rick Thornton, who was president and chief operating officer of Stride Rite since 2003, has left the organization to pursue other opportunities.
“Gregg Ribatt is a fourth generation footwear industry expert with proven experience in driving strong business results from his strategic work developing and growing Bennett Footwear Group and its stable of brands such as Franco Sarto, Via Spiga, and Etienne Aigner, among others,” said Matt Rubel, president and chief executive officer, Collective Brands, Inc. “We are thrilled to have Gregg join the Collective team and look forward to his leadership, strategy and vision with the Stride Rite business.”
Ribatt was hired as president and chief operating officer of Stuart Weitzman Holdings, LLC in 2006 and promoted to chief executive officer in 2007. At Stuart Weitzman, Ribatt oversaw the company's day-to-day operations including the expansion of the company's retail, handbag and licensing businesses. Prior to joining Stuart Weitzman, Ribatt worked for Bennett Footwear Group. Over the course of his 13 years at Bennett, Ribatt held various positions within the organization. Prior to the company's sale to Brown Shoe in 2005, Ribatt was the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Bennett. During his tenure there, he and a small partner group expanded the company's branded business acquiring and successfully growing brands such as Franco Sarto, Via Spiga, and Etienne Aigner. Ribatt also led Bennett's sale to Brown Shoe and remained on staff at Brown to facilitate a successful transition of the business. Ribatt holds a bachelor of arts from Wesleyan University and a masters of business administration from The University of Chicago.
