Greensboro, N.C. — VF Corporation, owner of the Nautica brand, has hired David Conn as president for retail licensed brands, a new position within its subsidiary, VF Services.

Conn will be responsible for developing retail-direct licensing deals — a strategic cornerstone of his previous employer, Iconix Brands, where he was executive vp. He will report to Mike Gannaway, vp - VF Direct, Customer Teams.

Ironically, both executives have worked within orbit of the same set of home textiles brands, although not at the same time. Gannaway spent a little over a year as president of Pillowtex during the mill's final effort to right itself. Pillowtex's brands were acquired by a consortium of investors in 2003, then sold to Iconix in 2007.

“Beyond our core national brand strategy, we see additional opportunities for growth with key partners through the introduction of new brands under a licensed business model. David brings a unique set of skills, capabilities and brand licensing experience to VF that will prove effective in leading our efforts in this new endeavor,” said Gannaway.

In addition to Nautica, VF's brands include Wrangler, Lee, Riders, The North Face, Vans, Reef, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, JanSport, Napapijri, Kipling, John Varvatos, 7 For All Mankind, lucy, Splendid, Ella Moss, Majestic and Red Kap.