Kellwood’s Koret division appointed a president for its retail group and promoted two other executives, all in new posts.
Debra Garcia has been named president of Kellwood Retail Group Inc., which was established under the auspices of the Koret division this year as a platform for a vertical retail business for the $1.9 billion manufacturer. Garcia was promoted from executive vice president of Kellwood Retail Group, a post she took in May after joining Kellwood a year earlier as senior vice president of retail operations and merchandising for Koret.
She had worked for 26 years at May Co., rising to vice president and divisional sales manager of better and moderate sportswear for Foley’s Department Stores. Kellwood expects her retail experience will help implement its growth plans, which include the opening of specialty and outlet stores for Koret and Sag Harbor, and Kellwood warehouse outlets.
Garcia, based in Oakland, Calif., reports to Stephen Powers, president and chief executive officer of Koret.
Mary Hinson, also based in Oakland and reporting to Powers, has added chief operating officer to the title of executive vice president of Koret wholesale, which she has held since March 2005.
In her expanded role, the 18-year Koret veteran will oversee wholesale sales of Koret, Napa Valley and new brands, in addition to continuing to manage strategic planning, business development, marketing/corporate communications, customer service, e-commerce and systems for the division.
Linda Harrison, based in New York and reporting to Hinson, has been promoted to executive vice president, from senior vice president, of sales for Koret. She will be responsible for Koret sales to all wholesale accounts, continue to oversee Koret’s New York sales showroom and manage sales for any new brands and accounts as the company expands.
Harrison joined Kellwood in February 2005 as vice president of sales, and before that held senior sales executive posts at Susan Bristol, Josephine Chaus, Rafaella and Evan Picone.