Diane Sullivan

One of St. Louis' oldest public companies, Brown Shoe, is stepping out with a new name, Caleres. Brown has been part of the corporate name since the company's founding in 1878. Next month, however, that name will be dropped once shareholders approve the change on May 28. "Brown Shoe doesn't conjure up the image of who we are today," Brown Shoe's CEO, president and chairwoman Diane Sullivan said in an interview. "Our name has to be more than a name — it must be managed as a brand. It's hard to be emotional about a brown shoe."

As CEO of a 135-year-old business, Diane Sullivan was looking for new ideas for growth and a fresh take on men's shoes for Brown Shoe Company. She thinks she may have found it in Jack Erwin, an upstart New York City-based online shoe brand that just started selling its footwear last year. Brown Shoe, the public company behind Famous Footwear stores, Shoes.com and brands such as Dr. Scholl's, is leading a $9 million investment in Jack Erwin. 

ST. LOUIS — Brown Shoe Company’s president and CEO Diane Sullivan will have new shoes to fill as chairman of the board, effective Feb. 2, 2014, once Ron Fromm steps down as chair. Fromm will remain a...

St. Louis -- Brown Shoe Co. said Wednesday that CFO Mark Hood has resigned the company, effective June 11. Russ Hammer has been named the successor. “I’m confident [Hammer] will be able to make an immediate contribution across the company and to the work we’ve been completing in our portfolio realignment efforts,” said Diane Sullivan, president and CEO. Hammer most recently served as CFO of Orbitz Worldwide. Prior to that role, he was CFO of Crocs, where he led the company's restructuring efforts and supported its turnaround.

Brown Shoe Company said it's acquired privately held athletic shoe maker American Sporting Goods Corp. for $145 million. The acquisition broadens the reach of Brown Shoe, which makes Dr. Scholl's, LifeStride, Franco Sarto and other brands and operates Naturalizer and Famous Footwear stores.