Kevin Bailey has been named president of Vans Americas.
Bailey used to run Vans’ retail division and was a key executive during the company’s turnaround years of 2002-03, Steve Murray, president of VF’s Action Sports Coalition told me this morning.
“As you know, over the past few years Vans has grown strongly in both size and complexity and we feel it’s the right time to add to our leadership team,” Steve said via email.
Bailey career has included stints at Lucky, Nike and American Eagle.
Steve, who previously served as Vans president, will now focus more deeply on the Action Sports Coalition, which currently includes Vans and Reef, he said.
Key areas he plans to focus on include “long term strategy, brand and product extensions, supporting our international regions better, getting after the China market, exploring new acquisitions, people development, organizational design etc.,” he said.
Vans has been one of VF’s strongest performers and has continued to post strong results even during the recession.
Also this week, VF named a new president for Reef.
Here is the press release announcing Kevin Bailey’s appointment:
KEVIN BAILEY NAMED PRESIDENT OF VANS-AMERICAS
Cypress, CA (May 29, 2009) – Stephen Murray, President, VF Action Sports – Americas, announced the appointment of Kevin Bailey as President of Vans – Americas, effective June 1st. In his new role, Bailey is responsible for Vans global brand strategy, including product development worldwide.
Bailey brings more than 20 years of sales, merchandising and retail operations experience to the role, including more than 5 years at Vans between 2002 and 2007 as Vice President of Retail, where he spearheaded Vans initiative to upgrade its own store environment by showcasing product and superior visual merchandising.
Prior to Vans, Bailey held various leadership positions with American Eagle, Nike and Golfsmith. Most recently, he was Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Operations at Lucky Brand, a division of Liz Claiborne.
“Kevin has a deep understanding of the Vans brand, VF’s culture and the action sports market sector,” said Murray. “His track record of developing retail strategies in line with overall brand positioning and building successful management teams focused on consistent global execution makes him ideal to lead the continuing growth of the Vans business.”
“I’m excited to return to a brand I care very deeply about, that has a strong connection to board sports and youth culture, and is so well managed,” said Bailey. “Vans’ heritage is invaluable and we will continue a ‘brand first’ approach as we manage our growth in the future.”
About Vans
Vans, the leader in action sports footwear and apparel for the youth market, is a brand of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC). Vans collections, which include active and performance footwear, apparel and accessories, snowboard boots and outerwear and the Pro-tec line of protective gear, are sold in the United States through more than 180 company owned stores and factory outlets as well as independent retailers. Internationally, Vans sells its goods in approximately 50 countries through a network of distributors, sales agents and foreign offices. Vans supports and promotes the action sports lifestyle through such events and destinations as, the Vans Triple Crown of SurfingTM, The Vans Downtown Showdown, the Pro-tec Pool Party and the Vans Warped Tour®. For more information on Vans, please visit www.vans.com
About VF Corporation
VF Corporation is a global leader in lifestyle apparel with a diverse portfolio of jeanswear, outdoor, action sports, imagewear, sportswear and contemporary apparel brands. Its principal brands include Wrangler, Lee, Riders, The North Face, Vans, Reef, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, JanSport, Napapijri, Nautica, Kipling, John Varvatos, 7 For All Mankind®, lucy®, Ella Moss®, Splendid®, Majestic® and Red Kap. VF Corporation’s press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company’s home page, www.vfc.com.
