Wolverine World Wide announced that Blake W. Krueger, the Company's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will assume responsibility for the global CAT Footwear business. In this new capacity, Krueger will continue to report directly to Timothy J. O'Donovan, Wolverine's President and CEO. Krueger replaces Bill Brown, who has assumed a newly created position as President, CAT Footwear International, reporting directly to Krueger.
Martin Berendsen and Stephen Palmer will continue in
their respective roles as the presidents of the CAT Footwear U.S. and European
operations and will also report to Krueger.
“Through these changes, we have created a management structure designed to
drive CAT Footwear toward its global potential,” stated Timothy J. O'Donovan.
“With Blake Krueger at the helm, the CAT Footwear team gains a top notch
executive with a retail/consumer focus, strong organization development skills
and a strategic mindset. Krueger's top priority will be centered on the
execution of a global strategic growth plan for CAT Footwear.”
“This is a great brand supported by a talented management team,” stated
Krueger. “My goal is to harness the team's collective strengths to drive CAT
Footwear to even greater levels of future success. Bill Brown's strong
international experience, built over his 31-year tenure with the Company,
makes him the right executive to expand the brand's market share outside the
U.S. market. Brown will also play a key role in building the Company's
presence in Europe as the oversight manager of our European operating board.
In the U.S., I will work with Martin Berendsen's team to fuel the growth of
the brand's youth/lifestyle initiative, while in Europe I will support Stephen
Palmer and his team's plan to increase the brand's share of the European
market. I look forward to the challenges which lie ahead.”
The Company also reported that Krueger will retain responsibility for its
retail operations and will continue to work closely with its Board of
Directors.
