J. America Team Licensed Group, a division of J America, has named Michael Valenzano as vice president marketing and business development.
In this newly created role, Valenzano will concentrate on developing and executing broader company growth initiatives while expanding J. America's strategic business partnerships. Valenzano will draw on his deep experience in senior leadership roles in marketing, merchandising and brand development over the course of his 20 plus year industry career.
Valenzano was most recently vice president marketing and business development for Outerstuff, the marketer of licensed children's sports apparel for all of the major sports leagues and leading colleges in North America.
Prior to Outerstuff, Valenzano was the executive vice president of merchandising and marketing for Knights Apparel, a leading producer of collegiate licensed apparel where he helped grow the company from a start-up to one of the foremost companies in the industry.
Valenzano stated, “I'm looking forward to helping drive continued company growth and expansion while perpetuating J. America's commitment to its retail and brand partners success.”
Jeff Fenech and Jeff Radway founded J. America in 1987, while attending Michigan State University by selling MSU Beach Club T-Shirts on campus. Nearly 25 years later J. America has grown into one of the largest collegiate and custom apparel suppliers in the United States today. In Nov 2012, J America was awarded a 10-year, exclusive non-sideline apparel contract with The Ohio State University.
