US: Steven Madden makes management changes

By just-style.com | 24 January 2006

Footwear wholesaler Steven Madden has announced the appointment of Matt Joyce to president of the company's women's wholesale division.

Together with Joyce's appointment, Rob Schmertz, who has served as both president of Steven Madden women's wholesale division and brand manager, has been promoted to brand director.

Joyce has 25 years of experience in the footwear business, most recently spending the last two years as a group president at Nine West. Prior to this, he held senior positions with Intershoe and Kenneth Cole Productions.

Steven Madden chairman and CEO Jamieson Karson said: "We are very pleased to welcome Matt Joyce, who has in-depth experience and a very strong and impressive track record within the footwear business.

"Matt is joining Steven Madden at an exciting time when our company is well positioned for growth. We are confident that he will contribute to the continued success of Steve Madden Women's - which is at the core of our company and is integral to our overall success.

"Rob has been critical to the success of our business and has played an instrumental role in building the Steve Madden brand. We are therefore thrilled that Rob will now focus exclusively on enhancing the brand and finding ways to successfully leverage it across various concepts and platforms as we work to evolve into a global branded lifestyle company."

Sectors: Footwear, Retail

Companies: Steven, Kenneth Cole