Vestis Retail Group, LLC, which operates Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores, announced James Petty as the replacement for Mark Walsh as its chief executive officer, effective July 8. Petty most recently served as president of retail stores for Carter’s Inc., which generates more than $800 million in annual sales from 485 stores. Prior to that, he held senior roles at Limited Too and Gap, Inc
Vestis is owned by affiliates of private equity firm Versa Capital Management, LLC, where Walsh serves as a managing director. He will remain chairman of Vestis.
“We’re pleased to welcome Jim Petty to Vestis, and believe he is the right leader for the company at this point in time,” said Walsh.
Petty will be based in the Meriden, Conn. headquarters of Vestis.
