The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announced Kevin
M. Burke will step down as president and CEO, effective Jan. 21, 2014.
Following today's announcement, the AAFA Board of Directors will begin
the process to identify a new President and CEO as quickly as possible.
"For
nearly 13 years, Kevin has been a passionate champion for the U.S.
apparel and footwear industry and it's more than four million American
workers," said AAFA Chairman Philip C. Williamson, president, CEO and
chairman of Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company. "Our industry has
changed significantly since Kevin came to AAFA in 2001. He brought a
much-needed global vision to AAFA and travelled the world meeting with
industry stakeholders to keep American workers competitive in the global
market. On behalf of the board of directors and AAFA's broad and
diverse membership, I applaud Kevin for his great record of success in
positioning AAFA as the influential political voice of the industry. We
wish him continued success in his next endeavor."
"I look
forward to working with the AAFA Board of Directors and the talented
AAFA staff to quickly name a new leader to guide AAFA in the years to
come," Williamson said. "With so many pressing policy issues facing the
industry, including the near conclusion of the Trans-Pacific
Partnership negotiations, time is of the essence. We will act quickly
to ensure seamless continuity in both leadership and AAFA's mission of
standing at the forefront as a leader of positive change for the apparel
and footwear industry."
"For
the past several years, I have had the wonderful opportunity to serve a
very dynamic industry as its top spokesperson in Washington," said AAFA
President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. (Pictued at the left.) "The key
lessons I've learned during my years at AAFA are that the U.S. apparel
and footwear industry is always moving forward and that the industry
must maintain its global perspective to remain competitive. I will miss
not being part of the day-to-day excitement of making it easier for
Americans to get dressed each day, as well as working with the dedicated
team at AAFA who made me a better association leader every day."
Under
Burke's leadership, AAFA has grown in composition and stature to become
a well-respected and nimble organization that responds to the immediate
challenges and long-term goals of the members it serves. Burke's record
of success includes:
Growing AAFA's membership to include more
than 530 corporate members representing more than 1,500 world famous
name brands. Under Burke's leadership, more than 25 percent of AAFA's
membership is now related to retail, which is a dynamic shift from
AAFA's long history as a manufacturing and wholesale organization.
Strengthening
AAFA's organizational performance and financial position with the
completion and implementation of a long-term strategic plan to guide the
association's efforts to better meet member needs.
Amplifying
AAFA's public policy and political voice to achieve many legislative and
regulatory successes, including the passage and implementation many
trade opening agreements and increased market access, greater awareness
for and practical approaches to social and environmental compliance,
meaningful reforms to bolster product safety regulations, greater
enforcement of global intellectual property rights, and strong
protections for the Berry Amendment.
Enhancing AAFA's valuable
educational seminars and training programs, including the significant
expansion of AAFA programs into key global markets like China, Vietnam,
India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and more, as well as expanding the scope
of AAFA's programs to cover key issues like chemical management, product
safety, sustainability, and more. AAFA is now the clear leader in
providing quality and relevant education and training to the industry
along the entire global supply chain.
By presse release
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