Fernandez will oversee domestic and international wholesale operations and business to business, licensing, and business development efforts across the Company’s portfolio of brands

Catalyst Brands today named Michael Fernandez to the role of Chief Wholesale and Business Development Officer as the company continues to scale its retail and wholesale presence and drive its expansion across key commercial channels.

Fernandez will report directly to Marc Rosen, Catalyst Brands’ Chief Executive Officer and will join the Company’s Senior Leadership Team. He will oversee all wholesale operations — both domestic and international — as well as the Company’s business to business, licensing, and business development efforts across the company’s portfolio of brands which includes Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, JCPenney and Nautica.

Most recently, Fernandez served as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Merchandising Officer at The Levy Group Inc., where he spent nearly a decade leading commercial strategy, merchandising, sales, and brand development across a broad portfolio of lifestyle and performance brands, including Nautica. He played a central role in driving growth through wholesale expansion, licensing partnerships, and strategic retail relationships.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the fashion and consumer goods space, including holding senior leadership roles at Perry Ellis International, where he worked across several of the company’s core lifestyle and performance brands, including Original Penguin, Perry Ellis, Callaway, and Nike Swim. Fernandez brings deep experience in building wholesale partnerships and driving brand growth across diverse retail channels and his experience spans both merchandising and brand, giving him the distinctive strength in bridging brand vision with operational execution, high performing teams and sustainable market growth.

“We are excited to welcome Michael Fernandez as our new Chief Wholesale Officer,” said Catalyst Brands CEO Marc Rosen. “Michael brings a wealth of strategic experience with specialty retail brands, which makes him uniquely well-positioned to drive our growth as we scale our retail and wholesale presence. His experience even working with some of Catalyst’s brands, and his ability to build significant retail relationships will be key as we continue working toward our mission of igniting America’s most beloved retail brands to make fashion accessible to all.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining Catalyst Brands to help drive the organization forward and continue the momentum it has been building since forming earlier this year,” said Michael Fernandez, Catalyst Brands’ Chief Wholesale and Business Development Officer. “Catalyst Brands is a powerhouse organization comprised of iconic retail brands and exceptional leaders; I’m looking forward to building on our strong existing partnerships and developing new relationships that will only further that growth.”

ABOUT CATALYST BRANDS

Catalyst Brands ignites America’s most beloved retail brands to make fashion accessible to all. Our portfolio features legendary department store JCPenney, as well as iconic specialty retail brands Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, and Nautica.

Established in 2025, when JCPenney and the former SPARC Group combined, Catalyst Brands today operates 1,800 retail stores, shop-in-shops, and eCommerce platforms throughout the U.S. and Canada. It also serves leading wholesale accounts in North America and beyond.

For more information, visit catalystbrands.com.

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“Michael brings a wealth of strategic experience with specialty retail brands, which makes him uniquely well-positioned to drive our growth as we scale our retail and wholesale presence," said Catalyst Brands CEO Marc Rosen.