rue 21 continues to remake management team

rue21 has named two new additions to its senior leadership. 

The fast-fashion teen retailer appointed Catherine "Cat" Morisano as chief merchandising officer. She succeeds Karen Pinney, who has left rue 21 in what the company termed a mutual agreement.

Morisano was most recently executive VP and chief merchant at Charlotte Russe. Prior to that, she was VP of merchandising/GMM at Fashion Nova.

In addition, rue 21 tapped Mary Blodgett as senior VP, stores. She succeeds Dirk Armstrong who has left the company.

Most recently, Blodgett served as senior VP of stores for Charming Charlie. Prior to Charming Charlie, she was VP of stores for The Body Shop International; executive VP of stores for TABI; zone VP Northeast for Victoria's Secret and senior VP of stores for Ann Taylor. 

Both Morisano and Blodgett will report to Michael C. Appel, chairman and CEO of rue 21, which operates 697 stores in 45 states. Appel, who took the reins of the company in November 2018, has focused his efforts on strengthening the senior management team.