Timberland

Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank is stepping back from his role as president.   The sporting goods company announced that retail veteran Patrik Frisk will become president and COO, effective July 10. He will have responsibility for the company's go-to-market strategy and the successful execution of its long-term growth plan and report directly to Kevin Plank, who has also held the title of president since 2010.  

The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has a new finance chief to help the company strengthen its balance sheet.

The retailer has named Nancy A. Walsh to the position of executive VP, CFO of the company, effective Nov. 9. Walsh will have responsibility for Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Credit, Investor Relations, Legal and Internal Audit.

Fort Wayne, Ind. - Vera Bradley, Inc. announced that Theresa Palermo has been named executive VP, CMO, effective June 22.

Vera Bradley Inc. has hired an executive with the Fossil Group to be its new chief marketing officer.

Vera Bradley announced that Theresa Palermo has been named CMO and will join the company on June 22. 

PHOENIX — PetSmart has appointed former Sara Lee executive Carrie Teffner as the company’s new SVP and CFO.

Teffner has more than 20 years of management experience, most recently serving as EVP and CFO at Weber-Stephen Products LLC, a leading manufacturer and exporter of barbecue grills and accessories worldwide.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Central Garden & Pet Company has named John R. Ranelli as its new president and CEO, effective February 11.

Central Garden & Pet is a leading supplier of branded products for the lawn and garden and pet supplies markets. Ranelli has been a member of its board and a member of the board’s audit committee since 2010. He will remain on Central’s board and current chairman and CEO Bill Brown will remain chairman.

NEWTON, Mass. — Former Reebok and New Balance executive Chris Cohen has been named VP of sales at Topo Athletic.

Founded in December 2012, Topo is a brand focused on designing innovative athletic gear that amplifies the natural mechanics of the human body. In his new role, Cohen will lead North American sales and sales operations for Topo.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Collective Brands Performance and Lifestyle Group has announced the appointment of Rick Blackshaw as president of the Keds brand. Blackshaw has extensive footwear experience with brands including Converse, Timberland, and the former division of Reebok, Avia, and most recently served as VP and general manager for the Chuck Taylor All Star Division of Converse Inc. He will start in his new role Jan. 24 and succeeds Kristin Kohler Burrows who recently departed the position to pursue career opportunities closer to her home in New York. 

Greensboro, N.C. -- Apparel giant VP Corp. announced that it has completed its previously-announced acquisition of The Timberland Company in a deal valued at $2.3 billion.

Timberland will become part of VF's Outdoor & Action Sports Coalition, which includes The North Face. The formerly family-held company will remain headquartered in Stratham, N.H.

STRATHAM, N.H. — The Timberland Company has announced the appointment of Mark Newton as VP corporate social responsibility, effective June 13. In this new role, Mark will lead Timberland's diverse global team responsible for managing the organization's four areas of focus within CSR: environmental stewardship, global human rights, community engagement and transparency and reporting. Mark will report to Carrie Teffner, Timberland's CFO.