The Warnaco Group, Inc. announced that it has named Joe Gromek President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 15, 2003. He will succeed Tony Alvarez, who has served as President and CEO since November 2001. Gromek, 56, was also elected to Warnaco’s Board of Directors.
Gromek most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Brooks Brothers, Inc. During his seven-year tenure with Brooks Brothers, Gromek successfully implemented a strategic plan that revitalized the company’s business. As a result of Gromek’s initiatives, Brooks Brothers enhanced its management team, broadened its product range and expanded the retailer’s traditional customer base. Moreover, Gromek augmented the brand’s global presence through airport retailing, licensing ventures, e-commerce and targeted regional partnerships.
Prior to joining Brooks Brothers, Gromek held numerous senior level merchandising positions with prominent retailers including Ann Taylor, Limited Inc., and Saks Fifth Avenue. Gromek began his career in the training program at Lord & Taylor, rising to become General Manager of its flagship store in New York City.
Tony Alvarez, President and CEO of Warnaco, said, “We are excited for Joe to join Warnaco. In addition to a proven track record in retail leadership, Joe brings a world-class skill set in marketing, brand management and product innovation that is directly applicable to Warnaco. Over a nearly 35-year career, he has established himself as an incredible manager, marketer and corporate entrepreneur. We are confident that he is the right person to drive the Warnaco business and we look forward to working with him.”
As previously announced, following an orderly transition, Tony Alvarez will return to Alvarez & Marsal, a leading turnaround and crisis management consulting firm he co-founded.
Gromek said, “It is a wonderful opportunity to lead Warnaco in this new phase of its life. I chose to take this role because I believe that Warnaco, with its great portfolio of brands and significant growth opportunities, has a very bright future and I welcome the chance to develop this potential. It will also be an honor to work with the superb group leadership that Tony has assembled in John Kourakos, Roger Williams and Tom Wyatt. I look forward to working with the Board and the Warnaco management team to take Warnaco to a new, exciting level.”
Stuart D. Buchalter, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Warnaco, said, “We are indebted to Tony for his leadership in engineering Warnaco’s successful reorganization and look forward to his continued contributions as a Director. We believe Joe is uniquely suited to manage our portfolio of leading brands to renewed growth and profitability.”
