Wolverine World Wide Inc. announced the appointment of Chris Hufnagel, Joelle Grunberg and Tom Kennedy to the company’s executive leadership team.

Each will now be responsible for multiple brands within the company’s portfolio and report directly to Blake W. Krueger, Wolverine’s chairman, CEO and president.

“During this unprecedented period of economic disruption, we are making important changes to our leadership team and organizational structure to make the Company more nimble and better positioned to seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Krueger. “This new structure will accelerate our biggest growth initiatives and strengthen our focus on DTC opportunities. We will also realize meaningful cost savings under the new structure.”

  • Grunberg was named global president of Sperry in February 2020. Grunberg will continue in that role, and Saucony, Keds and the Wolverine Kids Group will also now report to her.
  • Hufnagel is a 10-year veteran of the company and was named global president of Merrell in September 2019. Hufnagel will continue in that role, and CAT Footwear, Chaco and Hush Puppies will also now report to him.
  • Kennedy is a five-year veteran of the company and was named global president of the Wolverine brand in February 2020. Kennedy will continue in that role, and Bates, HYTEST and Harley-Davidson Footwear will also now report to him.

“I am proud of how our team members have stepped up and taken quick action to protect and enhance the power of our brands and the financial integrity of our business,” Krueger said. “We have a strong portfolio and diversified global distribution network. Many of our brands are resonating with consumers in this current environment, and I believe these changes will make us stronger as we emerge from this crisis.”

As part of these leadership appointments and organizational changes, Todd Spaletto will be departing the company, as SGB reported earlier, and his role as president of the Michigan Group will not be filled.

“The Michigan Group made significant accomplishments under Todd’s leadership, and we want to thank him for his great work and wish him only the very best,” said Krueger.

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