Converse Inc. President Mickey Bell "abruptly resigned" has
yesterday to pursue other business interests, according to David
Halbfinger of the BOSTON GLOBE. Bell had been President since
'94, and his responsibilities will be assumed by Glenn Rupp, who
was named Chair & CEO in April. In an interview, Rupp "denied
there was any friction between him and Bell," but two industry
sources, who asked to be remain anonymous, said the two "had
collided over the hiring" of a senior VP/Marketing, a position
vacant since September. Rupp said he would not hire a new
president, but would take on Bell's responsibilities himself.
Halbfinger notes the end of Bell's 19-year Converse career "could
signal the end of an ear at the company in which longevity
carried a heavy weight in personnel decisions." Bell could not
be reached for comment (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15).
TRADE AGREEMENT: Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc., makers of
Saucony brand shoes, said it has reached an agreement with the
FTC that will allow the company to continue to advertise some of
its Saucony products as "Built in Bangor" even though the shoes
are "largely assembled" in Maine from imported components. The
FTC would neither confirm nor deny the agreement (Chris Reidy,
BOSTON GLOBE, 8/14).
