Wolverine World Wide, Inc. announced key promotions and organizational changes relating to its Heritage Brands Group, Wolverine Footwear Group, and global support operations.
Gordon Baird has been promoted to president of the Heritage Brands Group. Mr. Baird joined the company in 2004 as managing director of the European CAT Footwear operations. He replaces Blake Krueger, who was recently promoted to president and COO. Prior to joining Wolverine, Mr. Baird held senior management positions with Timberland and Adidas. In his new role as president of the Heritage Brands Group, Mr. Baird will lead the company's global Caterpillar Footwear and Harley-Davidson Footwear operations.
Ted Gedra has been promoted to president of the Wolverine Footwear Group, effective January 1, 2006. Since joining the company in 1985, Mr. Gedra has held sales and management positions of increasing responsibility and was most recently EVP of the Wolverine Footwear Group. Mr. Gedra will succeed Dean Estes, who recently announced his retirement after over 30 years of service to the company. As president of the Wolverine Footwear Group, Ted will lead the US, Canadian and international operations of the Wolverine, Bates, Stanley and HYTEST brands.
Commenting on the promotions, Blake Krueger, president and COO stated, “Today's announced promotions of Gordon Baird and Ted Gedra demonstrate the significant strength of Wolverine's management team on a global basis. Gordon Baird has been instrumental in driving sales and profits in our European CAT Footwear business and has a strong background in branded footwear operations. Gordon is uniquely qualified to continue to build on the success and synergies in the Heritage Brands Group. Ted Gedra has been a key executive in our Wolverine Footwear Group for over 20 years and has demonstrated exceptional brand development, management and operational skills. Ted will lead the Wolverine brand in its further expansion of lifestyle and work opportunities, along with the other brands within the Wolverine Footwear Group. These promotions reflect the global scope of our operations and the brand development strategy that has been so successful for the company.”
Wolverine also announced that, effective January 1, 2006, Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., EVP and CFO, will assume leadership of several global support operations, including information systems, warehousing, credit and customer service. As announced earlier, the company's Global Operations Group, which includes the company's sourcing, manufacturing and leather operations, will report directly to Blake Krueger, president and COO. These areas are currently under the direction of Steve Duffy, who previously announced that he will be retiring from Wolverine after 17 years of service to the company.
Timothy J. O'Donovan, cchairman and CEO, commented, “I want to thank both Dean Estes and Steve Duffy for their significant contributions to the growth and development of our global organization over their many years of service and for the strength of the operating teams that they have developed. The internal promotions and organizational changes we announced today strengthen our global management team and set the stage for future growth. Our portfolio of global lifestyle brands is poised for continued excellence and expansion as the company remains committed to delivering innovative products that meet the needs of its global customers.”
