Wolverine Worldwide (WWW) announced important organizational changes to strengthen its senior leadership team and help accelerate global growth.
International business development has long been a key driver for Wolverine Worldwide, and in 2011, the firm created a stand-alone International Group to place more focus on accelerating global growth and capitalizing on the significant opportunities that exist for the Company's portfolio of 16 lifestyle brands.
Also, Wolverine reported that James Zwiers has been appointed President of the International Group. Zwiers has held numerous and increasingly significant leadership roles during his 16 years with the Company, including President, Performance Group; President, Outdoor Group; President, Hush Puppies USA; and Senior Vice President with responsibilities for strategy, business development, consumer direct and legal.
The firm also announced that James Gabel would replace Zwiers as President of the Performance Group, which is comprised of the Merrell, Saucony, Chaco, Cushe and Patagonia Footwear brands. Gabel brings to Wolverine a deep passion for performance brands, having most recently served as President of adidas Group Canada, where he was accountable for the growth and development of the adidas, Reebok, Rockport, Ashworth, Adams Golf and TaylorMade brands.
Earlier to that, Gabel was President of Reebok North America and served earlier in various roles with other performance brands that included Champion and Mizuno. Gabel would report directly to Krueger and represents a key addition to the Company's senior leadership team.
Further, the company has named Andrew Simister as President of the company's Lifestyle Group, which is comprised of Sperry Top-Sider, Hush Puppies, Keds and the Stride Rite Children's Group.
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