US: JA Apparel names new management team

Clothing maker JA Apparel has named Anthony R Sapienza as its CEO, replacing Marty Staff, who has left the company to pursue other endeavors.

Sapienza has been president and COO of Joseph Abboud, the company’s manufacturing arm in New Bedford, MA, for 13 years.

At the same time, the company announced that Kenton Selvey, who had been SVP-business development and brand strategy, will now become president of the JA Brand Group, reporting to Sapienza. Ross Gershkowitz, who had been VP-sales, is now SVP-Tailored Clothing.

Bill Watts, the company’s chairman, said: “Marty’s creativity and drive have been important elements in the business strategy that the company has put in place over the last six years, and we wish him well. We believe that this new management structure lead by Tony, Kenton and Ross addresses the current needs of our customers and partners while leveraging our two greatest assets: high quality design and manufacturing based in the US and strategic licensing of the Joseph Abboud brand name.”