(Filed Under wholesale Lingerie News). The Warnaco Group, Inc. has named Helen McCluskey president and chief executive officer, succeeding current president and C.E.O. Joe Gromek, who announced his retirement Dec. 13.

McCluskey, 56, currently serves as the chief operating officer of the Warnaco Group and will assume her new role Feb. 1, 2012. Before her promotion to C.O.O. in 2010, McCluskey served as group president of intimate apparel from 2004 and took on global responsibility for the company’s swimwear brands in 2007. Under McCluskey, the company doubled revenue in its Calvin Klein Underwear brand over a period of four years. Additionally, she oversaw key product launches for several Calvin Klein lines and restored growth to the Speedo swimwear and activewear brand. McCluskey previously held management positions at Liz Claiborne Inc. and Sara Lee Corp.’s intimate apparel divisions, including Playtex Apparel.

"I am honored to have been selected as Warnaco’s next president and C.E.O.," said McCluskey. "Warnaco has tremendous opportunity to continue its global expansion, and I look forward to working together with our team to build on the strong foundation we have in place as we pursue our strategic goals and next phase of growth."

Gromek served as head of Warnaco from 2003, joining the company just as it emerged from bankruptcy protection. Gromek, 65, stated that his tenure as C.E.O. was "an extraordinary and rewarding experience" and that mentoring and appointing McCluskey was part of a years-long succession planning process to ensure a seamless transition at the apparel giant. "This announcement is great news for our shareholders, employees, customers and partners around the world," he stated.

The New York-based Warnaco Group, Inc. is a leading global apparel company with owned and licensed brands in the intimate apparel, swimwear, activewear and accessories markets.

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Published 12-15-2011 by Katherine Rautenberg