TOPEKA, Kan., July 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Collective Brands, Inc.
(NYSE: PSS) announced today that it has named LuAnn Via, most recently
group divisional president of Charming Shoppes' Lane Bryant and Cacique
retail chains, as president and chief executive officer of Payless
ShoeSource, Inc., reporting to Matthew Rubel, chairman and chief executive
officer of Collective Brands, Inc.
Via succeeds Rubel as the leader of the Payless business unit, who has
served in the role since joining the company in June 2005. Rubel has
significantly expanded his role with last year's acquisition of Collective
Licensing International and The Stride Rite Corporation, which together
with Payless ShoeSource, formed Collective Brands, Inc.
Via will begin at Payless later this month and be responsible for
leading all day-to-day operations of the retail unit, including
merchandising, marketing and retail operations for the more than 4,500
store chain, which includes stores in the United States, Canada, Central
America, the Caribbean and South America. Via and her team also are
directly supported by shared Collective Brands Inc. corporate functions,
including finance, information technology, human resources, store
development, law and the global supply chain team, which includes the New
York Design Center, a group of footwear and accessories designers that
create the seasonal collections for Payless.
"We are thrilled to have LuAnn join our executive team in the critical
role as president and CEO of Payless ShoeSource -- the largest business
unit in our company," said Rubel. "She has a strong background in trend
merchandising, especially in footwear and accessories. LuAnn is a well
grounded and seasoned retail executive who has proven success as a leader
of both large department stores and specialty chains. We look forward to
her valuable contributions to the Payless team to continue our path and
strategy to democratize fashion in footwear and accessories and build a
House of Brands retailer well known for inspiring fun fashion possibilities
for the family."
Most recently, since June 2007, Via served as group divisional
president of Charming Shoppes' Lane Bryant and Cacique chains. Just prior,
from January 2006 to June 2007, she served as president of Charming
Shoppes' Catherine Stores. She worked at Sears, Roebuck and Company from
2003 to 2006, serving as vice president and general merchandising manager
for the retailer's footwear, accessories, fine jewelry and intimate apparel
business. She served as senior vice president, general merchandising
product development from 1998 to 2003 at Saks, Incorporated, where she was
responsible for the product development of the stores' private brands. From
1992 to 1998 she served as executive vice president at Trade Am
International, managing its handbag business; from 1990 to 1992 Via was
senior vice president and general merchandising manager at The Shoe Box/The
Shoe Gallery; and from 1985 to 1990 she was at Rich's Division of Federated
Department Stores first as a handbag buyer and, beginning in 1988, as
divisional vice president and merchandise manager for accessories. Via
began her career in 1974 as an assistant dress buyer at Adam, Meldrum and
Anderson Company.
About Payless ShoeSource
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a unit of Collective Brands, Inc., is the
largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere and is
dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories
and inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value.
As of the end of first quarter 2008, the company operated more than 4,500
stores. In addition, customers can buy shoes over the Internet through
Payless.com(R) at http://www.payless.com.
Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling
lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related
accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic
units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points
and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing.
Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on
democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its
more than 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands American Eagle(TM),
Airwalk(R), Dexter(R), Champion(R) and designer collections Abaete for
Payless, Lela Rose for Payless and alice + olivia for Payless, among
others; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and
high-quality children's footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with
its brands including Stride Rite(R), Keds(R), Sperry Top-Sider(R),
Robeez(R), and Saucony(R), among others; and Collective Licensing
International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit,
with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk(R), Vision Street Wear(R),
Lamar(R), Sims(R), LTD(R), genetic(R), Dukes(TM), Rage(R), Ultra-
Wheels(R), and Skate Attack(R). Information about, and links for shopping
on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at
http://www.collectivebrands.com.
Media: Mardi Larson, 612.928.0202
Financial: James Grant, 785.559.5321
SOURCE Collective Brands, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.collectivebrands.com
CONTACT:
Media, Mardi Larson, +1-612-928-0202, or
Financial, James Grant, +1-785-559-5321, both for Collective
Brands, Inc.
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