Collective Brands Names CEO

Topeka, Kan., Collective Brands Inc. said Wednesday it had named Gregg Ribatt to take over as CEO and president of its subsidiary, The Stride Rite Corp.

Ribatt will start Jan. 7, overseeing the operation of 300 Stride Rite stores and developing its Stride Rite, Keds, Saucony and Sperry Top-Sider brands.

He most recently served as CEO of Stuart Weitzman Holdings, a New York-based designer of women's shoes and handbags.

Ribatt replaces current COO Rick Thornton, who has left the Lexington, Mass.-based subsidiary.

Payless ShoeSource Inc. bought rival Stride Rite for about $800 million this summer, before changing the corporate name to Collective Brands.