Wolverine World Wide, Inc. has announced key promotions and organisational changes relating to its Heritage Brands Group, Wolverine Footwear Group and global support operations.

Gordon Baird has been promoted to president of the Heritage Brands Group. Mr. Baird joined the Company in 2004 as managing director of the European CAT Footwear operations. He replaces Blake Krueger, who was recently promoted to president and COO.

Ted Gedra has been promoted to president of the Wolverine Footwear Group, effective January 1, 2006. Since joining the company in 1985, Mr. Gedra has held sales and management positions of increasing responsibility and was most recently executive vice president of the Wolverine Footwear Group. Mr. Gedra will succeed Dean Estes, who recently announced his retirement after over 30 years at the company.

The company also announced that, effective January 1, 2006, Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer, will assume leadership of several global support operations, including information systems, warehousing, credit and customer service. As announced earlier, the company's Global Operations Group, which includes its sourcing, manufacturing and leather operations, will report directly to Blake Krueger, president and COO. These areas are currently under the direction of Steve Duffy, who previously announced that he will be retiring from Wolverine after 17 years.

Wolverine World Wide brands include: Bates, Hush Puppies, HYTEST, Merrell, Sebago and Wolverine.