A workwear brand gets a new CEO

Duluth Trading Company has promoted Stephanie Pugliese to president and CEO.

She replaces Steve Schlecht, who will continue as the company’s executive chairman. Pugliese’s appointment is effective immediately.

“In the seven years Stephanie has been with Duluth Trading, she has more than demonstrated her readiness for this position,” Schlecht said. “Her passion for driving the organization’s continued growth is contagious. She has a remarkable sense of our brand and what it means to truly stand out in the competitive workwear industry.”

Pugliese brings more than 22 years of retail leadership experience to her new position. She joined Duluth Trading in 2008, most recently serving as president and chief operating officer. Prior to being promoted to president in early 2012, she was senior VP product development and marketing, spearheading the evolution and expansion of Duluth Trading’s women’s line, as well as helping launch the brand’s first store in 2010.

Duluth Trading recently announced plans to open its first Iowa store in May 2015, which will be its sixth retail location. The store will be located in Ankeny, a northern suburb of Des Moines.

Before joining Duluth Trading, Pugliese held leadership roles at Ann Taylor and Lands' End. She is a graduate of New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.