Levi Strauss & Co announced leadership changes in its executive team with the creation of regional presidents for the Americas, Europe and Asia. This is part of a natural evolution of the company’s organization structure to further leverage the strength of its global brands and to drive long-term profitable growth. Also, the company announced a new president for the Dockers brand and a new chief communications officer.
“We’ve established good momentum over the past year and I am confident the leaders we are putting in place today will help deliver the next phase of growth for LS&Co.,” said Chip Bergh, president and chief executive officer of LS&Co. “This new structure with brands and retail being managed globally, intersecting with strong regional leadership of our business on a pan-brand, omni-channel basis is a natural evolution that will help accelerate our profitable growth by being closer to consumers and competing holistically at the market level.”
Anne Rohosy is appointed executive vice president LS&Co. and president of the Americas, effective immediately. In this new position, she is responsible for LS&Co.’s overall business strategy and operations across all brands and channels in the region and will continue to report to Bergh. Rohosy joined the company in 2009 and most recently served as executive vice president and president of commercial operations for Europe and the Americas.
Under her direction, the company has worked closely with wholesale customers to enhance its brands’ on-floor presence and introduced new consumer experiences, such as the Levi’s brand denim bars at JCPenney stores. In the most recent quarter, the company’s wholesale business grew double-digits at its top-ten customers, largely driven by the Americas, reflecting a strong consumer response to the great products and enhanced in-store experience in several top accounts.
Seth Ellison is appointed executive vice president LS&Co. and president of Europe, effective immediately. In this new position, he is responsible for LS&Co’s overall business strategy and operations across all brands and channels in the region and will continue to report to Bergh. Ellison joined the company in September 2012 as executive vice president and president of the Dockers brand, bringing more than 30 years of apparel industry experience.
Under his direction, the Dockers brand has improved its performance, re-establishing connections with traditional consumers as well as winning over a more modern consumer base. With a keen focus on its core products – men’s pants – the Dockers brand has reversed a long-term decline and is again growing profitably.
Roy Bagattini remains in his current capacity as executive vice president LS&Co. and president, Asia Pacific and will continue to report to Bergh. Effective November 25, 2013, which is the start of LS&Co.’s next fiscal year, Bagattini will assume additional responsibility for the company’s Africa and Middle East operations. The new entity he will oversee includes Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
