C-Suite Shifts at Lands’ End, AEO and Genesco

The latest HR moves made by leading textile and apparel companies.

Brands

Lands’ End

Lands’ End has appointed a new CEO as Andrew McLean steps down. Effective July 13, Charlie Cole will assume the role and join the company’s board of directors.

Cole was most recently interim chief digital officer of furniture brand Thuma. His experience also includes president of commerce software company XGen AI, as well chief digital officer of Tumi and global chief e-commerce officer of Samsonite.

“Lands’ End is one of America’s most iconic brands, built on quality, service and enduring customer relationships,” said Cole. “Andrew and the entire team have created a strong platform for the future, and I am honored to build upon that foundation, leveraging my technology and AI experience to create an even more personalized, engaging and productive customer experience.”

McLean, who came to Lands’ End in 2022 and assumed the CEO role in early 2023, is moving into an advisory role with the company during the leadership transition.

“During [Andrew’s] tenure, Lands’ End executed a strategic transformation that strengthened both the business and the balance sheet and created meaningful opportunities for future value creation,” said Josephine Linden, chair of the board of directors. “Andrew’s leadership in establishing the WHP Global joint venture represents a significant milestone in unlocking the long-term potential of the Lands’ End brand.”

American Eagle Outfitters

Mike Mathias, currently executive vice president – chief financial officer at American Eagle Outfitters, is transitioning to a new role on Aug. 3 as non-executive strategic advisor to the company’s executive chairman of the board and CEO Jay Schottenstein.

Succeeding Mathias will be Ravi Thanawala, whose appointment as executive vice president – chief financial officer is effective Aug. 3. Thanawala is currently at Papa John’s International, Inc., where he has held multiple leadership roles since he joined in 2023. He is currently chief financial officer and president, North America at the pizza corporation. His experience also includes Nike and Ascena subsidiary Ann, Inc.

“[Ravi’s] extensive retail background, dynamic leadership style and proven track record of delivering operational excellence for consumer-facing brands will position us well for long-term success,” said Schottenstein.

Mathias, who has been at AEO for around 25 years and has been CFO since 2020, will partner with Thanawala through the company’s 2026 fiscal year. He will also provide support to Schottenstein through July 30, 2027.

“Throughout his tenure, [Mike] has successfully guided our organization through a rapidly evolving retail landscape and a period of significant growth, which is why I’ve asked Mike to step into the role of strategic advisor to me,” said Schottenstein. “Mike’s financial expertise and strategic foresight have been instrumental in strengthening the foundation of our business, driving long-term value and positioning AEO for a bright future.”

Genesco

Footwear group Genesco has tapped Jonathan Collins as senior vice president, finance and chief financial officer. Collins, who will step into the role on Aug. 3, will report to Mimi E. Vaughn, Genesco board chair, president and CEO. Since March of this year, Vaughn had been serving as interim chief financial officer.

Collins comes to Genesco from America’s Car-Mart, Inc., where he was chief financial officer. He has more than 30 years of experience, including an over decade-long tenure at Walmart. At the big-box giant, he held roles including chief financial officer of Walmart Africa, chief accounting officer of Flipkart Group and chief accounting officer of Walmart Canada.

“[Jonathan’s] broad experience across consumer-facing, large-scale, retail and e-commerce businesses, combined with his strategic financial acumen, makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team, as we continue executing our Footwear First strategy and creating shareholder value,” said Vaughn.

Technology

O9 Solutions

Software company o9 Solutions has promoted Dr. Ashwin Rao to chief technology officer. Rao first came to o9 in November 2025 as executive vice president, next-gen AI and technology, and his work to-date has included building up the neuro-symbolic AI that powers o9’s APEX platform. This branch of AI combines data-focused AI like machine learning with symbolic AI that has more reasoning capabilities.

APEX—which stands for Agile, Adaptive, Autonomous Planning & Execution—expands on o9’s Digital Brain platform, which focuses on breaking down data siloes to improve planning. APEX adapts and continues learning to help companies improve their planning processes with insights on where value is being lost. It also enables teams to integrate AI agents into more processes and higher-level decision-making.

Prior to o9, Rao held roles at QXO, Target, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. He is also an adjunct professor at Stanford University’s Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering.  
“Enterprise decision-making has never been more complex, or more volatile,” Rao said. “By combining the power of neuro-symbolic AI with deep industry and enterprise domain knowledge, APEX is systematically transforming how enterprises detect risks and opportunities, plan, decide, execute and learn at scale.”

Locus

Logistics software firm Locus has created a new chief human resources officer role. Filling the position is Deepa Subbaiah, whose more than 25-year HR career has included roles at Honeywell, GE Healthcare, Wipro, 3M, Cisco, Freshworks and Amadeus.

Following its acquisition by Ingka Group—IKEA’s largest retailer—Locus is gearing up for growth, including in its staffing. Subbaiah will be focused on the people and culture aspects of this growth, including establishing career paths for employees and helping workers adjust to changes.

“My role, and my team’s, is to make sure every person at Locus is clear on why they are here, what they are building and what they are capable of,” said Subbaiah. “That means removing the roadblocks, building the frameworks and creating the conditions where AI makes not just our product, but everyone at the company faster and sharper. People and culture exist to enable the business. But more than that, it exists to make sure everyone who works here emerges a better version of themselves.”

Logistics

Schneider

Alongside its planned leadership transition—which saw Jim Filter assume the role of president and CEO on July 1—Schneider is making other changes to its leadership.

The logistics firm has named Michael Baumgardt executive vice president of intermodal and logistics, while Steve Wells has been hired as executive vice president of truckload. Both Baumgardt and Wells will report to Filter.

Baumgardt has been at Schneider for around 25 years, in roles ranging from customer service and sales to network management and operations. On his team, Schneider has also promoted Angela Prill to senior vice president of intermodal operations.

Wells was most recently president of Schneider’s subsidiary Cowan Systems.

“As we look ahead to a new chapter, I am confident the tightly aligned structure we are announcing today will help us remain nimble, maintain close relationships with our customers and continue building a stronger, more agile Schneider for the future,” said Filter. “Our strategy empowers accountable leaders and engaged teams to accelerate growth and drive efficiency.”

Mark Rourke, who was previously the company’s president and CEO, is becoming executive chairman of the board of directors.

Hai Robotics

Warehouse automation firm Hai Robotics has made two new executive appointments in the Americas.
Alan Berstein has been named general manager, Latin America (LATAM), leading growth, supporting customers and heading up the team in the region.

Paul Pendleton has been named vice president of delivery, a role that will focus on the implementation and delivery of Hai Robotics’ solutions to customers.

“As we continue expanding across the region, we’re focused on bringing in proven leaders who share our commitment to customer outcomes, operational excellence and innovation,” said Adrian Stoch, CEO Americas at Hai Robotics. “Alan and Paul each bring decades of experience building organizations, supporting customers, and delivering complex automation programs at scale.”

Prologis

Logistics real estate firm Prologis’ board of directors has added former Visa CEO Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. as a director.

Kelly’s career also included president of American Express and CEO of the New York–New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee. He is also an advisory director at Berkshire Partners and a member of the board of directors of General Motors Company.

“Al brings broad leadership experience and a strong understanding of technology, risk and global markets,” said Dan Letter, CEO of Prologis. “His perspective will be a valuable addition to our board as we continue to strengthen the business for the future.”

Education

North Carolina State

Andre West is retiring from his position as the director of Zeis Textile Extension within NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles. ZTE offers programs and services for those at the collegiate level and who are working in the industry, including courses, certification programs and pilot production runs and testing.  

As of June 30, West began phased retirement, which will see him teach one semester for each of the next three academic years before retiring. Effective July 1, the former associate director of ZTE Melissa Sharp stepped in as interim director of ZTE.

West has been at the Wilson College of Textiles since 2013, when he joined as an assistant professor in the Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, teaching classes such as CAD-aided design and fashion history. He has served as director of ZTE since 2019.