ENK International (ENK), the owner of the WSA footwear trade show, appointed Thomas Nastos as president. Nastos has served as member of the ENK Board of Directors since 2007.
“I am very pleased to have Tom join me in the day-to-day activities of ENK,” said Elyse Kroll, Chairman of the Board and Chief Creative Officer of ENK International. “Tom's extensive background in the industries that are critical to our business will be extremely valuable as we focus on refreshing the WSA footwear show and implementing our growth strategy across ENK's other product platforms. I look forward to working closely with him,” Ms. Kroll added.
“As a director of the company, I have become familiar with the tremendous business that Elyse created, which when joined with Forstmann Little's history of backing growth companies results in a compelling company that is well positioned for the future,” Nastos said. “The company's acquisition of the WSA Footwear Show was an important step in expanding ENK's product categories,” Nastos continued. “I look forward to working with Elyse on a regular basis to build ENK International going forward.”
In May 2006, Forstmann Little & Co., one of the most successful private equity investment firms, acquired a majority stake in ENK. Chris Davis, General Partner, Forstmann Little & Co., and an ENK Director said, “We are very pleased that Tom has agreed to work directly with Elyse in leading the day-to-day operations of ENK. His deep experience in the textile, apparel and footwear industries allows him to provide strong operational leadership while appreciating the perspective of both exhibitors and retailers as we expand the company's product platforms to continue to grow the company.”
Since 1999, Nastos has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Endurance LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of such well known brands as Paper Denim, Joseph Abboud Jeans, Rocawear and ProKeds.
Prior to Endurance, Nastos served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Aris Industries with such recognized brands as Perry Ellis Jeans, Outerwear and Loungewear, Fubu Boys, Members Only Outerwear, xoxo and Baby Phat. He also served for nearly a decade as President and Chief Executive Officer of Synergy International, a $120 million private label supplier.
Nastos is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at Cornell University and also serves as a professor of graduate studies in supply chain management at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
