Williams Leaves Warnaco
Roger Williams, longtime group president of the Warnaco Group’s swimwear division, has resigned from his post for personal reasons, the company announced.
“We thank Roger for his efforts and contributions to our swimwear group during the last 4 1/2 years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Joe Gromeck, Warnaco’s president and chief executive, in a statement.
During Williams’ tenure, the company launched new swim lines, including lines from Speedo and Studio by Anne Cole, and snagged big-name licenses, including Calvin Klein and Nautica. In 2001, parent company Warnaco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and the swimwear division was forced to reorganize its brands. The division weathered hard financial times to emerge as a leading swimwear manufacturer.
Williams also managed the company’s overseas manufacturing efforts when producing domestically became cost-prohibitive. In 2004, Williams and Speedo introduced Speedo Sportswater, a bottled performance water aimed at taking the brand beyond the pool. At the time, Williams said getting the Speedo name outside of the sometimes-insular swim market could help the company grow the brand into other channels. In 2005, Williams, along with the California Fashion Association, the Cooper Design Space and the California Apparel News, helped organize a sample sale to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The company is already searching for a replacement. Until then, Sherry Waterson, president of Speedo, and Paula Schneider, president of designer swimwear, will report to Gromeck.
Executives at Warnaco declined to comment. —Erin Barajas
