Pennington Named Chief Executive Officer of Genesco; Harris Continues as Company's Executive Chairman

April 25, 2002 at 8:20 AM EDT
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NASHVILLE, Tenn., Apr 25, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Ben T. Harris, chairman of Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO), today announced the appointment of Hal N. Pennington to the position of president and chief executive officer of the Company effective immediately.

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Pennington, also a director of Genesco, has been the Company's president and chief operating officer since November 2000. Harris will continue in active executive management in his role as chairman, focusing primarily on the Company's overall strategic direction.

"This step implements a longstanding leadership succession plan drawing on the pool of internal talent that I have always viewed as one of our greatest strengths," said Harris. "Hal began his career with Genesco as an industrial engineer when manufacturing was the core competency of the Company. His professional evolution over the past four decades has tracked and sometimes anticipated the transformation of Genesco into the customer-focused, lifestyle marketing company it is today. It is appropriate that one who exemplifies the vision and adaptability that have made and kept Genesco a leader in the footwear industry should come to lead the Company at this time."

Pennington, who joined the Company in 1961, has served in a variety of leadership positions within Genesco, including executive vice president and chief operating officer (1999 to 2000), president of Johnston & Murphy (1997 to 1999), president of Dockers Footwear (1995 to 1997) and vice president - wholesale for Johnston & Murphy (1990 to 1995).

"I consider myself fortunate to be assuming the leadership of Genesco at such a promising time. By focusing the Company on its core strengths and championing financial and operational disciplines, Ben Harris has both set a high standard for future performance and laid the foundation to make that standard achievable. I look forward to continuing to work with him and the entire Genesco management team to build on that foundation and to sustain our positive momentum," said Pennington.

Genesco, based in Nashville, sells footwear and accessories in more than 900 retail stores in the U.S., principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Johnston & Murphy, Jarman and Underground Station, and on internet websites www.journeys.com and www.johnstonmurphy.com . The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers brand. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may be accessed at its website www.genesco.com.

SOURCE Genesco Inc. 

CONTACT:          media, Claire S. McCall, +1-615-367-8283, or financial,
                  James S. Gulmi, +1-615-367-8325, both of Genesco Inc.
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