Foot Locker vet named president of Journeys Group
Genesco Inc. has tapped a 20-years-plus Foot Locker veteran to lead its Journeys Group subsidiary.
The footwear company named Andy Gray as president of Journey Group, effective Jan. 3, 2024, succeeding Mario Gallione, who is retiring. In his new role, Gray will oversee the strategic growth of Journeys Group’s Journeys, Journeys Kidz and Little Burgundy retail brands.
Most recently, Gray served as global president of Foot Locker, and was responsible for the retailer’s largest global brand portfolio. Other duties included oversight of brand building, business innovation and all product functions. (He left Foot Locker in January.)
Gray previously held additional leadership roles at Foot Locker such as global chief commercial officer and chief merchandising officer. He spent roughly 15 years in different roles with Foot Locker Europe, which he joined in 2001.
“Andy brings invaluable expertise in the areas essential to building the Journeys business for the future, along with a passion for leading youth-focused consumer businesses,” said Genesco board chair, president and CEO Mimi E. Vaughn. “He is a visionary leader with extensive experience in athletic and fashion footwear. Andy’s connection to youth culture and the strong brand relationships he’s forged over his accomplished career make him the ideal person to lead the talented team we have in place at Journeys, as we work to elevate the business and unlock the tremendous potential we see ahead.”
At Journeys, Gray joins a leadership team that includes Mike Sypert, who was appointed in August, and has been managing the day-to-day responsibilities for Journeys, Journeys Kidz and Little Burgundy’s business, including stores and websites in the U.S. and Canada. Sypert is a 34-year company veteran who previously served as Journeys executive VP of sales and retail operations.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Genesco team and to lead Journeys – a retail brand I've long admired. I see significant runway to capitalize on its unique positioning in the market, while further leveraging the unparalleled strength of its vendor partnerships,” said Gray. “There is something really captivating about the power of Journeys’ connection with its teen consumer, and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running with the team to evolve the business for a new era.”
Based in Nashville, Tenn., Genesco operates approximately 1,400 retail stores and branded e-commerce websites.