Who’s in, who’s out, who’s been promoted and hired — FN covers all the industry changes in one place. Know of an executive on the move? Tell us at [email protected].

Oct. 21, 2022: Rack Room Shoes has promoted longtime team member Jennifer Scantland to Midwest/Tennessee regional manager. Based in Memphis, Tenn., Scantland covers stores in West Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. She joined Rack Room Shoes in 2003 as a part-time associate in Knoxville, Tenn. She was also an assistant manager before being promoted and relocating to Nashville to serve as district manager in 2009. Whit McConnell, VP of store operations for Rack Room Shoes, said in a statement, “Jennifer brings enthusiasm, industry experience and knowledge to share with her team as we continue to evolve and improve how we serve our customers and communities.”

Oct. 18, 2022: Macy’s has named longtime exec Julie Walsh as senior vice president, general business manager of Center Core and Beauty. Walsh has worked at Macy’s for more than 20 years and has held various leadership positions, including experience in fine jewelry, prestige cosmetics and most recently, serving as Macy’s vice president, divisional business manager for fragrances. In her new role, Walsh will be responsible for leading and driving the Center Core and Beauty merchandise organization which include beauty, jewelry, handbags, shoes and accessories. She will report to Macy’s chief merchandising officer Nata Dvir. “I am so excited to share Julie’s promotion. As a member of our merchant organization for over two decades, we have watched her grow in her career and excel in advancing our strategy,” Dvir said. “I am confident that her leadership, collaborative approach and ability to create meaningful experiences in-store and online through best-in-class product offerings will continue to help drive this business forward.”

Oct. 18, 2022: Xero Shoes has hired John Wadley as the VP of product development. Wadley joins the company from VF Corp.’s Altra brand, where he was director of product innovation and sustainability. Prior to Xero Shoes, Wadley played an instrumental role in fueling Altra’s hyper growth over the past 10 years, in roles as senior footwear developer, and during the brand’s new ownership under VF Corp. as director of product development, and most recently his aforementioned role as director of product. According to Xero, Wadley will lead the company’s product development staff, liaising with product design, product management and operational counterparts to continue innovating the brand’s growing line of barefoot-inspired footwear. “Xero Shoes is growing at an impressive rate, and I’m excited to inject fresh, innovative ideas and solutions to capture new and retain existing customers who love natural movement,” said Wadley in a statement. “The brand has so much potential and I’m looking forward to using my expertise in product development and innovation to elevate their classic and new footwear styles.”

Oct. 17, 2022: REI Co-op has hired 30-year retail industry veteran Mary-Farrell Tarbox for its VP of physical stores and retail operations role, which she will assume as of Oct. 24. The outdoor retail powerhouse said in a statement today that Tarbox will provide strategic leadership in the role for its nearly 180 physical stores and retail operations team, which accounts for more than three-quarters of its 16,000-plus employee base. Also, REI said Tarbox will be tasked with delivering on its goals that include advancing the employee experience, customer service and culture of continuous improvement. Most recently, Tarbox was a regional VP at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Her retail career also includes stints at Crate & Barrel, Petsmart, Inc. and Target Corporation, and she has also volunteered with Chicago Cares Inc. for 20 years where she also serves as an emeritus board member. “Mary-Farrell is a proven leader in omni-channel operations. Her more than 30 years of leading successful teams across multiple retail environments made her a clear choice,” REI Co-op chief commercial officer Cameron Janes said in a statement. “As REI’s retail presence expands across the nation, she will have a key role in helping the co-op achieve our aspiration to serve a 50-million-member community.”

Oct. 12, 2022: JD Sports Fashion CFO Neil Greenhalgh will step down from his role in 2023.  four years in the role. He served in the role for four years. The news comes after executive chairman of JD Sports Fashion Plc Peter Cowgill stepped down from his role in May and was replaced by Régis Schultz in September. “The decision to step back from JD during 2023 is one that I have been considering for some time,” Greenhalgh said. “I fully intend to help Andy and Régis settle into their roles and, by giving the Board advanced notice, enable a smooth transition to a new CFO.”

Oct. 5, 2022: Under Armour, Inc. has promoted David Baxter to president of the Americas, succeeding Stephanie Pugliese, who will be stepping down from her role and leaving the company. Pugliese will remain until early 2023 to support Baxter’s transition. Before joining Under Armour in 2020 as SVP of Americas wholesale, Baxter served as president and CEO of Lids Sports Group from 2016 to 2019. Prior to that, he was VP of Adidas’s America’s sport performance division from 2010 to 2014, where he directed the North American product and marketing strategies. Along with this appointment, Under Armour has tapped Mehri Shadman as chief legal officer and corporate secretary as John Stanton, the company’s current chief legal officer, has decided to retire at the end of 2022 after 16 years of service. Shadman is currently the Deputy general counsel, corporate and risk, and assistant corporate secretary, and has spent nine years at Under Armour. Before Under Armour, Shadman began her career as an associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, a global law firm, in its capital markets practice. Both executives will start on Oct. 24.

Oct. 4, 2022: Twisted X Global Brands has promoted Clayton Smith as senior director of sales. Smith previously served as director of marketing for the brand and held various marketing roles with Justin Brands, Inc prior to joining the Twisted X team. In his new position, Smith will now be responsible for managing Twisted X Global Brands’ western product including Twisted X and Black Star. The company said that this promotion is part of its “ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation” in the western footwear industry. “Twisted X has been a leader and innovator in the western category since the brand was founded 17 years ago to offer products for those that live the western lifestyle,” said Smith in a statement. “My goal is to ensure that western is kept at the core of our business to propel us into the next growth chapter.”

Oct. 3, 2022: Sperry has hired Danielle Alalu to fill its VP of sales role. Most recently, Alalu — an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience — was VP of global wholesale at fitness and lifestyle brand Sweaty Betty. Alalu will report to Sperry global brand president Katherine Cousins. “Sperry has had an important place in the history of fashion for close to 90 years. I am excited to join this beloved heritage brand and apply my expertise to accelerate sales and elevate the brand perception with existing and new Sperry customers,” Alalu said in a statement.

Sept. 30, 2022: QVC and HSN parent company Qurate Retail Group has named Scott Barnhart as its new chief operating officer, effective immediately. In this role, Barnhart will lead supply chain, procurement, global business services, and corporate real estate and workplace services for all Qurate Retail Group brands globally; customer service and experience for all U.S. brands; and QVC and HSN’s U.S. fulfillment operations. Barnhart also oversees the transformation management office for Project Athens, Qurate Retail Group’s three-year plan to establish revenue stability, OIBDA margin expansion and incremental cash flow generation. Barnhart reports to David L. Rawlinson II, president and CEO of Qurate Retail, Inc. Most recently, Barnhart was president of global medical products & supply chain at Cardinal Health, a Fortune 500 pharmaceuticals distributor, medical/lab products manufacturer, and healthcare data services provider. Barnhart also help senior positions at Aramark, Conagra Brands and Diageo. Early in his career, Barnhart advised other global companies as a consultant at PwC and E&Y.

Scott Barnhart.

Sept. 28, 2022: Toms has tapped Dorothy Sadd as its new global COO and CFO. Sadd most recently was the CFO/COO at omnichannel fashion brand Unique Vintage – omni channel fashion brand.  She has also previously served as VP of Europe at VF Corp. and has held senior positions at Adidas, Vans, LVMH, and The North Face. Sadd also spent more than a decade at Kurt Salmon, a management consulting firm that specializes in apparel, retail, and consumer products. “Appointing Dorothy as our new COO and CFO was an easy decision for us at Toms,” said Magnus Wedhammar, CEO at Toms in a statement. “She brings 25 years of experience in the footwear and retail industry from finance to logistics to management and is coming in at a pivotal time to continue to grow Toms as a mission driven brand. We are thrilled to have Dorothy join our team.”

Sept. 21, 2022: Nike has tapped two new members to its board of directors: Mónica Gil and Bob Swan. Gil is currently the chief administrative and marketing officer at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. Swan, the former CEO of Intel Corporation, works at Andreessen Horowitz as an operating partner. “Mónica and Bob’s collective leadership in business operations, innovation, marketing, branding and media make them outstanding additions to our board,” said Nike executive chairman Mark Parker in a statement.

Sept. 20, 2022: Brunt Workwear has appointed several new people to serve in senior leadership positions across the organization. The work apparel and footwear brand has tapped Sarah Litt as senior director of customer loyalty and retention, Ryan Shingledecker as director of marketing, Matt Thompson as director of apparel, Colton Vosburg as director of footwear and Ruth Trieger as director of customer experience. “It’s truly an honor to see our team grow with a new group of incredible leaders to help Brunt reach new heights. We have professionals from all areas of the consumer industry, coming together to serve the hardworking tradespeople we are so proud to build products for,” said Eric Girouard, founder and CEO of Brunt in a statement.

Sept. 15, 2022: Skechers SVP of domestic sales Rick Graham has announced his retirement after almost 30 years with the company. He previously served as a key account manager, regional manager and the VP of sales/women’s. Pete Calichman will take over the role from Graham, who will leave the company at the end of 2022. “For 18 years, Rick served as SVP for domestic sales guiding the best team in the business and building key relationships to help Skechers become the leader it is today. Though we will miss his insight and dedication to the Company and industry, Rick leaves us prepared for the future,” said Skechers president Michael Greenberg.

Sept. 12, 2022: Vans has hired Marissa Pardini as its chief product and merchandising officer. Pardini will step into the role on Dec. 1. In the position, Vans said Pardini will be tasked with leading global product, which includes apparel and footwear, as well as its merchandising function “as the brand looks to further its objective to be consumer-minded, retail-centric and hyper-digital brand.” Most recently, Pardini served as the VP and GM of The North Face Americas region, a role she’s held since 2020.

Sept. 12, 2022: Hudson’s Bay has named Sophia Hwang-Judiesch as president, effective Sept. 19. She will succeed Wayne Drummond, who will be retiring. Most recently, Hwang-Judiesch was VP of strategic initiatives at Ulta Beauty, where she led the build and launch of Beauty@Target, and managed 13 workstreams, including: merchandising, mp&o, store/service operations, e-commerce, and supply chain. Previously, Hwang-Judiesch was SVP at Carter’s Oshkosh, and was with Esprit de Corp as China country manager of retail, wholesale & e-commerce. Among her new responsibilities at Hudson’s Bay, the company said that Hwang-Judiesch will be focused on the execution of its in-store digital selling transformation, customer experience and store optimization. Last year The Bay (digital) and Hudson’s Bay (stores) announced that its store fleet and e-commerce business would operate as two separate businesses, accelerating its digital-first transformation. This mirror’s the same initiative its sister retailer Saks Fifth Avenue did in early 2021.

Sept. 8, 2022: Original Footwear Company, which designs and manufactures shoes for law enforcement officers, military operators and first responders, has tapped Mark Cavanaugh for its CEO role. He will succeed founder Kevin Cole, who will remain on its board of directors. In this role, the company said Cavanaugh will be tasked with continuing to drive growth within its core military, law enforcement and first responder customer bases, as well as create new partnerships with leading national retailers where the products have crossover appeal. Cavanaugh has more than 30 years of industry experience, which includes stints at Under Armour, New Balance and Nike.

Sept. 8, 2022: Qurate Retail Group, the parent company of QVC and HSN, has announced two executive leadership appointments. Soumya Sriraman, who was most recently head of Prime Video Channels at Amazon, has been named president of streaming for Qurate Retail Group, effective Sept. 7. Qurate Retail Group’s newest business unit, vCommerce Ventures, operates the company’s streaming service and is designed to accelerate the company’s ownership of digital live streaming shopping, beyond QVC’s and HSN’s traditional multiplatform experiences. Stacy Bowe, who previously held senior merchandising positions at G-III Apparel Group and Macy’s, was named chief merchandising officer of QVC US, effective Sept. 6. In fiscal year 2021, QVC US represented approximately three quarters of Qurate Retail Group’s $8.3 billion in vCommerce revenue in the U.S. (HSN represented the rest).