Matthew Rubel
Encyclopedia
Matthew E. Rubel was Chairman, CEO and President of Collective Brands, Inc.
, a footwear, accessory and lifestyle brand company. Collective Brands is the parent company for Payless ShoeSource
, Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyles Group (formerly The Stride Rite Corporation
), and Collective Licensing International from 2005 to 2011. In June 2011, Rubel announced his resignation from Collective Brands, Inc.
Rubel joined Payless ShoeSource in June 2005. As CEO and President of Payless, Rubel leveraged the diverse talents of the Payless team to create an inspiring, customer-centric organization with a new position as a specialty retailer dedicated to democratizing fashion in footwear and accessories.
In July 2007, Rubel led the acquisition of The Stride Rite Corporation and the formation of Collective Brands, Inc. Collective Brands, (NYSE: PSS),. the parent company of Payless ShoeSource, Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group and Collective Licensing International. Under Rubel's leadership, Collective Brands has evolved into a dynamic and diverse global enterprise, with a strong portolio of iconic brands reaching consumers around the world through wholesale, retail, e-commerce, licensing and franchising channels. Rubel has built a dynamic team of leaders throughout the Collective Brands organization, and collaboratively they have expanded the global footprint of Payless and Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group brands including Stride Rite, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider and Saucony, among others, to more than 81 countries worldwide.
In December 2007, Footwear News named Rubel their 2007 "Person of the Year" in recognition of his leadership in forming Collective Brands and establishing the company’s vision of creating the pre-eminent, consumer-centric, global footwear, accessories and lifestyle brand company, reaching customers through multiple price points and selling channels. Rubel received the M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Award from Texas A&M in April, 2008.
Under Rubel’s leadership, Payless has received several prestigious honors for the repositioning of Payless. In December 2006, Payless was named Marketer of the Year by Footwear News,. In March 2007, Payless received a special award for “Brand Reinvention” from Chain Store Age magazine,. In May 2007, Payless was named 2007 Retailer of the Year by The American Apparel & Footwear Association. In March 2008, Fast Company named Payless among their Fast 50 list of companies on the move.
From 1999 to 2005, Rubel was Chairman, President and CEO of Cole Haan
, a leading marketer of high quality men’s and women’s shoes and accessories, and subsidiary of Nike, Inc.
At Cole Haan, Rubel led a multi-year turnaround, and guided the company into a new era by re-energizing the brand and creating a strong global presence. During his time with Cole Haan, the company doubled in size and expanded its global footprint, positioning the company as a leading fashion brand.
His extensive merchandising and retailing background includes serving as Executive Vice President, J. Crew Group and CEO of Popular Club Plan from 1994 to 1999. In November 1998, he led the sale of Popular from J. Crew to Fingerhut, the largest independent direct marketer in the United States. While at J. Crew, Rubel handled all licensing and international, as well as brand marketing. He also served on the Group Executive Committee.
Rubel has led a number of other top brands. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepe Jeans
, USA and managed Revlon
Inc.’s prestige cosmetic brands as President of the Specialty Store Division. Prior to Revlon, Rubel was Executive Vice President of Murjani International Ltd., where he was in charge of all Tommy Hilfiger
businesses. Rubel started his career at Bonwit Teller
in New York after earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University
in 1979. He earned a Master of Business Administration
from the University of Miami
(FL) in 1980.
Rubel is active in several industry and civic organizations, including the Jay H. Baker Initiative at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
; Young Presidents' Organization
; President’s Council - University of Miami
, Florida; Chairman of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America; and a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the American Ballet Theatre
(ABT) Board of Governing Trustees and the International Council of Shopping Centers
(ICSC) Board of Trustees.
Payless ShoeSource
Payless ShoeSource is a discount footwear retailer founded in Topeka, Kansas in 1956 that is owned by Collective Brands, Inc. In 1961, it became a public company as the Volume Shoe Corporation which merged with the May Department Stores Company in 1979. In the 1980s, Payless was widely known in the...
, a footwear, accessory and lifestyle brand company. Collective Brands is the parent company for Payless ShoeSource
Payless ShoeSource
Payless ShoeSource is a discount footwear retailer founded in Topeka, Kansas in 1956 that is owned by Collective Brands, Inc. In 1961, it became a public company as the Volume Shoe Corporation which merged with the May Department Stores Company in 1979. In the 1980s, Payless was widely known in the...
, Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyles Group (formerly The Stride Rite Corporation
Stride Rite Corporation
The Stride Rite Corporation is a marketer of children's footwear in the United States and is a major marketer of athletic and casual footwear for children and adults...
), and Collective Licensing International from 2005 to 2011. In June 2011, Rubel announced his resignation from Collective Brands, Inc.
Rubel joined Payless ShoeSource in June 2005. As CEO and President of Payless, Rubel leveraged the diverse talents of the Payless team to create an inspiring, customer-centric organization with a new position as a specialty retailer dedicated to democratizing fashion in footwear and accessories.
In July 2007, Rubel led the acquisition of The Stride Rite Corporation and the formation of Collective Brands, Inc. Collective Brands, (NYSE: PSS),. the parent company of Payless ShoeSource, Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group and Collective Licensing International. Under Rubel's leadership, Collective Brands has evolved into a dynamic and diverse global enterprise, with a strong portolio of iconic brands reaching consumers around the world through wholesale, retail, e-commerce, licensing and franchising channels. Rubel has built a dynamic team of leaders throughout the Collective Brands organization, and collaboratively they have expanded the global footprint of Payless and Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group brands including Stride Rite, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider and Saucony, among others, to more than 81 countries worldwide.
In December 2007, Footwear News named Rubel their 2007 "Person of the Year" in recognition of his leadership in forming Collective Brands and establishing the company’s vision of creating the pre-eminent, consumer-centric, global footwear, accessories and lifestyle brand company, reaching customers through multiple price points and selling channels. Rubel received the M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Award from Texas A&M in April, 2008.
Under Rubel’s leadership, Payless has received several prestigious honors for the repositioning of Payless. In December 2006, Payless was named Marketer of the Year by Footwear News,. In March 2007, Payless received a special award for “Brand Reinvention” from Chain Store Age magazine,. In May 2007, Payless was named 2007 Retailer of the Year by The American Apparel & Footwear Association. In March 2008, Fast Company named Payless among their Fast 50 list of companies on the move.
From 1999 to 2005, Rubel was Chairman, President and CEO of Cole Haan
Cole Haan
Cole Haan is a fashion label that was founded in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in 1928.The name comes from founders Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan. Originally Cole Haan was a men's footwear label...
, a leading marketer of high quality men’s and women’s shoes and accessories, and subsidiary of Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
At Cole Haan, Rubel led a multi-year turnaround, and guided the company into a new era by re-energizing the brand and creating a strong global presence. During his time with Cole Haan, the company doubled in size and expanded its global footprint, positioning the company as a leading fashion brand.
His extensive merchandising and retailing background includes serving as Executive Vice President, J. Crew Group and CEO of Popular Club Plan from 1994 to 1999. In November 1998, he led the sale of Popular from J. Crew to Fingerhut, the largest independent direct marketer in the United States. While at J. Crew, Rubel handled all licensing and international, as well as brand marketing. He also served on the Group Executive Committee.
Rubel has led a number of other top brands. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepe Jeans
Pepe Jeans
Pepe Jeans London is a denim and casual wear jeans brand that was established in the Portobello Road area of London in 1973. From its origins as a tiny market stall to more than half a US billion dollar brand, Pepe has transformed itself into a jeanswear label found throughout Europe...
, USA and managed Revlon
Revlon
Revlon is an American cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company founded in 1932.-History:Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name...
Inc.’s prestige cosmetic brands as President of the Specialty Store Division. Prior to Revlon, Rubel was Executive Vice President of Murjani International Ltd., where he was in charge of all Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger
Thomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfiger is an American fashion designer and founder of the premium lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger.-Early life:...
businesses. Rubel started his career at Bonwit Teller
Bonwit Teller
Bonwit Teller was a department store in New York City founded by Paul Bonwit in 1895 at Sixth Avenue and 18th Street. In 1897 Edmund D. Teller was admitted to the partnership and the store moved to 23rd Street, East of Sixth Avenue...
in New York after earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
in 1979. He earned a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
(FL) in 1980.
Rubel is active in several industry and civic organizations, including the Jay H. Baker Initiative at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wharton was the world’s first collegiate business school and the first business school in the United States...
; Young Presidents' Organization
Young Presidents' Organization
The Young Presidents’ Organization is a global network of young chief executives. With approximately 18,000 members in more than 100 countries, YPO and its graduate organization, WPO share a founding mission: Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange....
; President’s Council - University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
, Florida; Chairman of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America; and a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
(ABT) Board of Governing Trustees and the International Council of Shopping Centers
International Council of Shopping Centers
Founded in 1957, the International Council of Shopping Centers is the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its 60,000 members in the U.S., Canada and more than 80 other countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, lenders,...
(ICSC) Board of Trustees.