American Eagle promotes two members of its senior team
American Eagle has promoted chief merchandising officers Chad Kessler and Jennifer Foyle to the positions of global brand presidents.
Kessler will be responsible for the American Eagle Outfitters brand while Foyle will oversee Aerie.
While continuing to report to executive creative director Roger Markfield, both will have responsibility for all brand design and merchandising functions in the newly created structure.
Markfield said: “Chad has been instrumental to our business improvement, driving stronger AE merchandise assortments, rooted in outstanding quality, innovation and affordability. He has the right brand vision, creative expertise and knows our customers well. Chad has an outstanding creative team and together they will take the brand forward as a global destination for casual American style.”
He added: “Over the past few years, Jennifer has assembled an extraordinary team and has led Aerie’s transformation to a youthful, real intimates brand for a new generation of customers. Aerie has a bright future and Jennifer is the right leader. I have great confidence that under her leadership, Aerie’s momentum will continue and will become a meaningful contributor to AEO’s future growth and profitability.”
Foyle has worked with American Eagle since August 2010 as chief merchandising officer for the Aerie brand. She has previously held leadership roles at Gap and J Crew and is also the former president of the lifestyle brand Calypso St. Barth.
Meanwhile, Kessler joined American Eagle in February 2014 as chief merchandising and design officer for the American Eagle brand. With 20 years of experience in the youth retail apparel sector, he worked at Abercrombie and Fitch for 15 years where he was instrumental in the launch of Hollister.
