CWC completes product, merchandising reorganization

SANDPOINT — Jill Brown Dean was appointed president and chief merchandising officer at Coldwater Creek, Inc., on Monday.

“Jill joins Coldwater Creek at a pivotal point in the company’s history,” said Dennis Pence, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Coldwater Creek. “She is a seasoned merchant with extensive retail experience and a proven track record of success in building and repositioning consumer brands.

Dean will join Coldwater Creek on Feb. 14 and succeed Georgia Shonk-Simmons, who previously announced her intention to retire.

Coldwater Creek also announced that Jerome Jessup, currently executive vice president, creative director, has been promoted to president and chief creative officer.

Both Dean and Jessup will report directly to Dennis Pence, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Coldwater Creek.

“I am excited to join Coldwater Creek, as I believe the company has a strong heritage, a terrific team, and significant growth potential,” Dean said. “I look forward to working with the Coldwater Creek team to provide our customers with relevant and appealing offerings that build upon our heritage and position the company to drive consistent sales growth and improved performance.”

“Since joining Coldwater Creek, he has updated and elevated the brand through our new creative initiatives, and we believe that the changes he is making to the design and development of our product are moving the company in the right direction,” he added.

On behalf of the company and board, Pence thanked Shonk-Simmons for her contributions to Coldwater Creek over the past 12 years.

“She was instrumental in building the Coldwater Creek brand and in growing the business to over $1 billion in revenue,” he said. “We will miss her immensely and wish her well in her retirement.”

With these changes to our leadership team, Pence said the company has completed its reorganization of the merchandising and design areas

“I am confident in our new team and look forward to seeing the results of the changes we have made in the months to come,” he said.

Dean joins Coldwater Creek with more than 25 years of retail and merchandising experience in the specialty retail sector. She has held numerous leadership roles throughout her career, most recently as president of the Limited Too division of Tween Brands. Prior to that, Dean spent 18 years with Limited Brands serving as executive vice president, general manager, for Victoria’s Secret flagship stores as well as president and chief executive officer of Lane Bryant. Dean began her career at Limited Brands in merchandising for the Express division.

Coldwater Creek is a leading specialty retailer of women’s apparel, gifts, jewelry, and accessories that was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho. The company sells its merchandise through premium retail stores across the country, online at coldwatercreek.com and through its catalogs.