Stride Rite names new ceo

TOPEKA, Kan. Stride Rite today announced that it has hired Gregg Ribatt as the president and ceo reporting to Matt Rubel, president and ceo of Collective Brands, to lead and direct the growth and brand-building of Stride Rite's premium lifestyle, athletic and children's brands including Stride Rite, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider, Robeez, and Saucony, among others.

Ribatt most recently president and ceo of Stuart Weitzman Holdings will start in this role Jan. 7. He will be responsible for managing all operational aspects for Stride Rite's business including product design and development, growth of its premier brands, as well as the operation of approximately 300 Stride Rite stores. Rick Thornton, who was president and coo of Stride Rite since 2003, has left the organization to pursue other opportunities.

"Gregg Ribatt is a fourth generation footwear industry expert with proven experience in driving strong business results from his strategic work developing and growing Bennett Footwear Group and its stable of brands such as Franco Sarto, Via Spiga, and Etienne Aigner, among others," said Rubel. "We are thrilled to have Gregg join the Collective team and look forward to his leadership, strategy and vision with the Stride Rite business."