Coldwater Creek Announces Management Transition Plan
Georgia Shonk Simmons to Retire
SANDPOINT, Idaho, June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coldwater Creek Inc. (Nasdaq: CWTR) today announced that Georgia Shonk Simmons, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, plans to retire on May 1, 2011. The Company also announced that Jerome Jessup, Executive Vice President, Creative, will immediately assume responsibility for merchandise design and development. Ms. Shonk Simmons will continue as head of merchandising with a view to transitioning those responsibilities to a new head merchant over the next several months.
"Georgia has made extraordinary contributions to our company over the past twelve years," said Dennis C. Pence, co-founder and CEO. "I am extremely grateful to Georgia who not only has been instrumental in creating our unique brand and developing our outstanding merchandising team, but has also been an inspiration to the entire Coldwater Creek team. I am delighted that she will be here for the next year to assure a smooth transition."
Ms. Shonk Simmons said, "I have truly enjoyed being a part of this organization and am extremely proud of what we have achieved in growing the brand to over $1 billion in revenue. While I will miss the team at Coldwater Creek, I believe that now is the right time to begin my transition. We have built a talented team and I am confident that we have the right leadership in place to take the brand to the next level."
Mr. Jessup is an experienced retail veteran. He joined the Company in August 2009 after spending the prior four years running his own fashion collection and consulting practice. Prior to that, he was the senior executive vice president of design and merchandising for Ann Taylor. Mr. Jessup also spent ten years with Gap Inc., leading the design and product development functions for Banana Republic as well as for the Gap, GapKids, babyGap and GapBody divisions. He started his career as a designer working with brands like Liz Claiborne and Perry Ellis International.
"We look forward to what Jerome will bring to our merchandise assortment and customer experience," said Mr. Pence. "I am confident that his creative vision for our brand, combined with his extensive retail experience, will continue to elevate our merchandise esthetic and offer our customer the contemporary and modern sensibility that she expects of Coldwater Creek."
About Coldwater Creek
Founded in 1984, and headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, Coldwater Creek is a leading specialty retailer of women's apparel, gifts, jewelry, and accessories. The Company sells its merchandise through premium retail stores across the country, online at coldwatercreek.com and through its catalogs.
Contact: |
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Lyn Walther, Divisional Vice President, Investor Relations |
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208-265-7005 |
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Web site: www.coldwatercreek.com |
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SOURCE Coldwater Creek Inc.
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