US footwear, handbags, and accessories company Kenneth Cole Productions has named Joel Newman, most recently chief operating officer at Tommy Hilfiger USA, Inc. and executive vice president of Finance and Operations at Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, Inc., as the company’s new chief operating officer.  He joins the company after a distinguished career of over 40 years in the retail and wholesale apparel industries. Mr Newman spent almost 12 years at Tommy Hilfiger as well as 16 years at Saks Fifth Avenue and its parent Batus Retail, culminating in his appointment as president and chief operating officer of Kohl's Department Stores. He also served as president of Calvin Klein Industries during the integration of its Puritan Fashion acquisition.