Levi’s Names Skechers Finance Chief John Vandemore CFO

by · WWD
Levi's jeans.AFP via Getty Images

Levi Strauss & Co. has turned to the world of footwear for its next chief financial officer.

John Vandemore, who’s spent the last nine years as CFO of Skechers USA Inc., will become both executive vice president and CFO at the San Francisco-based denim standby.

He starts Nov. 1, taking the financial reins from Harmit Singh, who said in April that he was retiring from the expansive role of executive vice president and chief financial and growth officer. Most of Singh’s tenure came during Chip Bergh’s run as chief executive officer, when the two led the team that reimagined a wholesale-based men’s bottoms supplier as much more of a lifestyle retail brand.

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The current CEO, Michelle Gass, who came to Levi’s from Kohl’s Corp., is now working to complete that journey by continuing to build out the retail business, as well as women’s and tops. Now she has a new partner in the effort.

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“We are thrilled to welcome John at a pivotal moment for our company,” Gass said. “We are building a more direct-to-consumer business, unlocking the full potential of the Levi’s brand and transforming LS&Co. into the world’s leading denim lifestyle retailer. John’s deep financial, operational and consumer experience, combined with his proven ability to help global brands scale and grow profitably, makes him the ideal partner to help us realize our ambition of becoming a $10 billion company.”

Levi’s, which sells through 3,300 stores and shops-in-shop in 120 countries, racked up revenues of $6.3 billion last year.

Vandemore brings more than 25 years of finance experience to the task. During his time at Skechers, he helped grow that company to be the world’s third-largest footwear brand, with a presence in over 180 countries and more than 5,000 stores. Skechers’ revenues nearly tripled to over $9 billion during his watch.

“LS&Co. is an iconic company with an unmatched heritage, a globally renowned brand and a clear strategy that is delivering strong momentum and results,” Vandemore said. “I have long admired the Levi’s brand and am excited to join Michelle and the team and contribute to strengthening consumer connections, accelerating profitable growth and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”

Before joining Skechers, he served as executive vice president and CFO of global brands and commercial sales at Mattel Inc. and spent time at International Game Technology and The Walt Disney Co.