Richard T. Fersch, president and CEO of Spiegel Group’s Eddie Bauer division, has retired effective Friday, Jan. 4.
Fersch, 52, had been with Eddie Bauer since 1988, when he joined as vice president of retail stores. In the intervening 13 years he was promoted to senior vice president of stores, executive vice president of merchandising, marketing and advertising and chief operating officer. He was named president in 1993 and promoted to president and CEO in 1997.
Eddie Bauer has not yet chosen a successor, and Fersch will work with the company to run the day-to-day operations. Martin Zaepfel will take on responsibility for planning and strategic initiatives during the search period.
The company also recently gave Steve Newman, president of the Eddie Bauer apparel division, additional responsibility for all creative services and sourcing. Mark Staudinger, who had been vice president o direct media, was named vice president of marketing.
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