Former Wal-Mart Executive joins R.G. Barry

08 May '09

3 min read

In conjunction with a realignment of its brand management and sales resources, R.G. Barry Corporation announced several key personnel moves within its management organization and the addition of a veteran Wal-Mart merchandising executive to its sales team.

R.G. Barry executives Douglas J. Yannucci, Thomas JZ Konecki and Jeffrey P. Bua have received new leadership roles with the accessories footwear marketer, and former Wal-Mart divisional merchant Melanie A. Owens has assumed account responsibilities for the Company's global business with Wal-Mart.

“We continue refining our business model with an eye toward enhanced efficiency and effectiveness,” said Greg Tunney, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Realigning our sales and brand management resources into a hybrid structure allows each of our brands to have a more focused, distinct performance metric reflective of economic realities and of our overall long-term goals.

“Under our new model, the proprietary, licensed and private brand groups will manage their brand strategies and development independently. Sales and account management for all three groups will be principally handled by our single internal sales organization utilizing specialized account teams. We believe that this new platform will enhance the ability of our team to better serve our retailing partners and to succeed as we continue moving ahead with our strategy of growth through strategic acquisition, brand and category diversification, product innovation and international expansion.”

Organizational Changes:
Mr. Yannucci, 36, has been named Vice President-Sales Branded Products and President of Dearfoams Brands. He joined the Company in October 2005, and most recently served as Vice President-Sales Wal-Mart Global. Prior to joining R. G. Barry, Yannucci worked for ready-made slipcovers and related accessories manufacturer Sure Fit Inc. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and holds an MBA from The University of Miami.

Mr. Konecki, 54, has been named Vice President-Sales Private Label Products. He joined the Company in May 2006 and most recently managed the Company's business development and licensing. Konecki is the former president of the H.S. Trask & Co. division and a corporate vice president of the Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. He also held senior executive positions at the Born Division of H.H. Brown, Work'n Gear/Casual Male Inc. and G.H. Bass. He is a graduate of Bates College, Lewiston, ME.

Mr. Bua, 55, has been named Vice President-Sales Licensed Products and Brand President for the Levi's brand footwear line. Prior to joining R.G. Barry in March as President of the Levi's brand footwear line, Bua was Senior Vice President of Sports Casual International, a performance development firm. Bua also has senior level experience with a range of companies, including Reebok International, AVIA Group International and UMBRO International. He is a graduate of Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA.

Former Wal-Mart Executive Joins Sales Team
Ms. Owens, 45, replaces Yannucci as the Company's Vice President-Sales Wal-Mart Global.

Owens most recently was a Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager-Shoes for the Wal-Mart Stores. During a 26-year career with the retailing giant, Owens held a variety of executive buying and merchandising positions, both domestic and internationally. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas.

R.G. Barry Corporation

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