Genesco Names Andy Gray President of the Journeys Group
28 November 2023 - 10:50PM
Business Wire
A proven leader and seasoned global consumer
product executive who brings deep footwear and retail industry
expertise, Gray adds meaningfully to Genesco’s already deep
leadership bench
Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO), after a broad search process, today
announced the appointment of Andy Gray as the new President of the
Journeys Group, effective January 3, 2024. In this role, Gray will
drive strategic growth for the Company’s largest business, building
on the foundation of Journeys’ leading position in teen fashion
footwear retail and its brand mission of living life with an
attitude that celebrates self-expression inspired by youth culture.
He succeeds Journeys Group President Mario Gallione, whose planned
retirement was announced in August.
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Andy Gray, President, Journeys (Photo:
Business Wire)
“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 Chief Executive Officer 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.”
Gray joins Genesco most recently from Foot Locker, Inc. Before
departing in January 2023, he served as Global President, where he
led and motivated teams across all regions and was responsible for
Foot Locker’s largest global brand portfolio, including oversight
of brand building, business innovation and all product functions.
He championed a commercial offense to reach more consumers across
core categories, refocused teams on the biggest brands and high
ROI-potential regions and repositioned the portfolio to evolve and
elevate Foot Locker globally.
“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.”
Gray joins a strong and dedicated Journeys leadership team,
including Journeys’ Chief Operating Officer 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 Vice President of Sales and Retail Operations.
Vaughn commented, “Mike has provided exceptional leadership already
in his new role, and I look forward to his continued contributions
in partnership with Andy.”
About Andy Gray
Gray comes to Genesco from his prior roles at Foot Locker, where
he served for over two decades in several senior leadership
positions, including EVP, Global President of Foot Locker, Kids
Foot Locker, Champs and Sidestep, and EVP, Global Chief Commercial
Officer. During that time, he developed a multi-dimensional skill
set spanning merchandising, general management, retail and digital,
consumer insight, brand building and global leadership. As Global
Chief Commercial Officer, he brought all consumer facing
disciplines together for increased consumer, vendor and business
benefit.
About Genesco Inc.
Genesco Inc. is a footwear focused company with distinctively
positioned retail and lifestyle brands and proven omnichannel
capabilities offering customers the footwear they desire in
engaging shopping environments, including approximately 1,400
retail stores and branded e-commerce websites. Its Journeys, Little
Burgundy and Schuh brands serve teens, kids and young adults with
on-trend fashion footwear that inspires youth culture in the U.S.,
Canada and the U.K. Johnston & Murphy serves the successful,
affluent man and woman with premium footwear, apparel and
accessories in the U.S. and Canada, and Genesco Brands Group sells
branded lifestyle footwear to leading retailers under licensed
brands including Levi’s, Dockers and G.H. Bass. Founded in 1924,
Genesco is based in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information on
Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit
www.genesco.com.
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Genesco Financial Contact
Thomas A. George (615) 367-7465 tgeorge@genesco.com
Genesco Media Contact Claire
S. McCall (615) 367-8283 cmccall@genesco.com
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