Merrell appointed Sue Rechner as president.
She will report directly to the Wolverine Outdoor and Lifestyle Group President, Todd Spaletto, who recently joined the Wolverine Worldwide from The North Face.
Rechner has over 25 years of global brand building experience with the majority spent in the outdoor industry. For the past 10 years, she has been the chief executive officer and president of Confluence Outdoor, an American manufacturer of kayaks, canoes and paddle sport accessories. At Confluence Outdoor, Rechner had success strategically positioning their portfolio of brands, resulting in market share growth and strong financial results. Prior to leading Confluence Outdoor, she was the president and director for Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc. and concurrently held the position of global chief executive officer for the time piece and apparel divisions of Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.
Commenting on Rechner’s appointment, Spaletto stated, “Sue has a consistent track record of building brands and delivering growth in the outdoor industry. Merrell is an iconic brand and is the perfect fit for Sue’s leadership and experience.”
“After conducting an extensive search, we are excited to bring Sue to Wolverine Worldwide and Merrell – our largest brand with great global potential,” said Blake Krueger, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Wolverine Worldwide. “Sue is a seasoned veteran and experienced brand builder, I am confident she will have a strong impact on the Merrell brand and its continued growth.”
Rechner holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Rutgers University. She currently is a board member for the Outdoor Foundation and recently served as the Vice Chairman of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Executive Committee.
