Men’s Wearhouse founder and chairman guarantees leadership transition

HOUSTON -- Douglas Ewert will become CEO of Men’s Wearhouse effective at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting on June 15, when founder and current chairman and CEO George Zimmer steps down.

Ewert, 47, currently serves as president and COO and joined the company in 1995 after a 10-year career with Macy’s. Zimmer, 62, founded the company in 1973 and built it into one of North America’s largest specialty retailers of men’s apparel with nearly 1,200 stores. Zimmer also became something of an advertising icon who regularly appeared in Men’s Wearhouse commercials that concluded with him saying, “You’re gonna like the way you look. I guarantee it.”

The company in January indicated that Ewert would succeed Zimmer as CEO, but did not specify a time frame other than mid-2011.

“Doug and I are extremely pleased with the progress we have made as we transition to his appointment on June 15th,” Zimmer said. “We believe this will continue to be a smooth and seamless process for our employees, customers, suppliers, and shareholders. Doug will continue to foster our company’s unique culture of customer services. Together over the years we have nourished that culture and our employees have embraced it. It and our employees have and will remain the key ingredients in our future success.”

Ewert will also become a member of the board of directors at the June shareholders’ meeting while Zimmer will remain as executive chairman of the board. In addition, the company indicated that Zimmer will assist Ewert in matters related to the strategic direction of the company and remain a pivotal architect of the company’s customer and employee oriented culture. He will continue to be involved in marketing activities as well.