Posted September 15, 2014

 

GREENSBORO, N.C. – VF Corporation announced that Dan Cherian has joined the company as vice president, Global Innovation, Performance Apparel and Footwear.

 

In this newly created role, Cherian will oversee VF’s Global Performance Apparel and Footwear Innovation Centers, where the company focuses on developing advancements in apparel, footwear and accessories for its 30-plus brands.

 

“Our goal is to shape the future of apparel and footwear,” said Steve Rendle, VF senior vice president, Americas. “VF has emphasized the importance of product innovation as a key growth driver for our company. Adding Dan to our team to lead our performance apparel and footwear initiatives further demonstrates our commitment to creating breakthrough, must-have products for consumers.”

 

Cherian joins VF from NIKE, Inc., where he was general manager of Nike’s Sustainable Business Lab, a business development and strategic partnership function. He has also worked for Pfizer Inc. and the Boston Consulting Group.

 

At VF, Cherian will set global innovation strategies, shape and manage the global product innovation portfolio and lead all supporting activities taking place at VF’s Performance Apparel Innovation Center in Alameda, Calif., and Footwear Innovation Center in Stratham, N.H.

 

VF introduced its Innovation Center strategy in 2013 and began to elevate innovation initiatives with existing teams to support key projects. Now, under Cherian’s leadership, the company will assemble teams of chemists, scientists, engineers and designers for the Performance Apparel and Footwear Innovation Centers who will combine their expertise in technology and new materials with VF’s proprietary insights and deep understanding of consumer needs.

 

VF’s third Innovation Center is dedicated to jeanswear and is near the company’s world headquarters here.

VF Corp. appoints Cherian to lead Innovation Centers