From CEOs at main retail chains and well-known designers to celebrities and even a Main League Corridor of Famer, Jack Gross has touched the lives of an unlimited variety of folks. Most level to his ardour for the enterprise, his unending enthusiasm and his integrity as amongst his most admirable qualities.
Right here, a number of of these whose lives he’s touched throughout his profession weigh in.
“Jack is an skilled skilled within the trade. We now have been nice buddies for a lot of years. He’s extremely revered by everybody who is aware of him. He’s distinctive in that he’s a person of his phrase. A consummate gentleman.” — Tommy Hilfiger
Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger
“Jack is and at all times would be the trailblazer within the denim class. He commercialized the enterprise throughout a a number of of many manufacturers. He was the go-to provider.” — Jamie Salter, chief government officer, Genuine Manufacturers Group
Jamie Salter
George Chinsee/WWD
“As you might need imagined, Jack was fairly the women man in faculty, a ‘participant’ in as we speak’s vernacular. Jack made an try and play baseball, however just for a short while. In reality, he was a reasonably good pitcher. Jack attended my wedding ceremony at my home in Dayton, Ohio, on Feb. 16 of 1974, which I believed was a really good gesture. We’ve stayed in contact through the years, as outdated buddies do. I’ll at all times respect our instances collectively at Ohio U.” — Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies’ Corridor of Fame third baseman
“Jack, I like and respect your honesty and integrity. You at all times had my again and believed in me however in the event you felt I used to be not on my A-game, you let me know. Meaning every little thing to me! Thanks for at all times exhibiting up. There’ll by no means be one other Jack. I cherish each second. You made me a greater businesswoman. And retirement is bullpoopy! LOL FAR too younger and energetic! Let’s simply name it leveling up! I’m Gonna Love You Endlessly.” — Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson attends the 2023 Footwear Information Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Avenue on November 29, 2023 in New York Metropolis.
Footwear Information by way of Getty Photos
“I’m going to overlook my 6 a.m. calls from Jack with an ideal concept like a brand new title of a jean, from ‘Kiss Me’ to ‘Hug Me,’ or me calling him to complain about somebody and his response is: ‘They’re like a moist piece of bathroom paper caught to your shoe.’ His ‘Jack-isms’ are priceless and at all times made each state of affairs lighter and funnier. Jack ‘Walton,’ you recognize I like you want a brother. Thanks for being my good friend, mentor, encourager and visionary. Chances are you’ll be retiring however prepare for my 6 a.m. calls. I want you all of the happiness in all you do and extra time for lengthy dinners and tequila photographs? Inform me when and the place, I’m there! Love you, Tina” — Tina Simpson, president, Jessica Simpson Assortment
“Jack understood what I needed to create with Sofia Denims from the very starting. He cared deeply in regards to the product and about making girls really feel assured and delightful. Each collaboration felt significant, and I’m so grateful for every little thing we created collectively.” — Sofia Vergara
“Jack has been such a trusted companion and an vital a part of the Sofia Denims story. His management and assist had been felt in each a part of what we constructed, and I’ve actually valued the belief and respect we developed through the years.” — Luis Balaguer, CEO and founder, Latin World Leisure and Sofia Vergara’s supervisor
“Jack has been a beautiful companion. He loves attire and the chance to drive the enterprise. Jack has mentored, challenged, and impressed lots of our leaders. We are going to miss his genuine enthusiasm. I hope he enjoys his well-deserved subsequent chapter.” — Tony Spring, chairman and CEO, Macy’s
Tony Spring
Masato Onoda/WWD
“All through his profession, Jack Gross has been an ideal companion to me and the Macy’s crew and he’s somebody who introduced dedication and true ardour to win. Working with Jack was a pleasure. Jack’s workplace was full of quotes, and after a gathering, he even despatched me a customized signal with one in all his sayings. I hold it in my workplace as a reminder of his friendship and the insights he’s shared with me. Wishing Jack all the perfect in his well-deserved retirement.” — Nata Dvir, chief merchandising officer, Macy’s
“Jack was greater than a enterprise companion. He was a mentor. My favourite reminiscence of Jack is a dinner out in Plano, Texas, after we had a enterprise assembly that day. That dinner was the essence of who Jack is as an individual. He really needed to supply counsel, mentoring and steerage on how we as an organization, and me, as a pacesetter, may succeed. Really one in all my most memorable moments. He was by no means only a vendor. He was at all times a enterprise and human companion. To today, I think about him an advocate, a useful resource, and a good friend. I’ll miss Jack and that BIG smile, however I want him effectively in retirement and hope he really relaxes!” — Michelle Wlazlo, model CEO, JCPenney
Gloria Vanderbilt denims will likely be celebrating its fiftieth anniversary subsequent 12 months.
Fairchild Archive/Penske Media
“Jack is an excellent individual. I acquired Gloria Vanderbilt with him — he had an fairness place — and bought it to Jones New York in 2002. I had a contract for two ½ years and once I left, I proudly steered to administration that Jack take my place. He’s a go-getter, he’s passionate, he’s very direct, very open and really collaborative and at all times ensures that everybody is joyful. He actually did a terrific job on the entrance finish and he discovered the again finish. If I taught him something, it was to focus extra on the numbers as a result of on the finish of the day, a enterprise needs to be worthwhile. I nonetheless communicate to him as a companion and want I had him with me the final 15 years at Delta Galil. I’m stunned he’s retiring, he has much more in him. Whenever you retire, you get outdated in a short time. I hope he continues to seek out different issues to do to maintain him younger.” — Isaac Dabah, CEO, Delta Galil Industries
“Jack has at all times been targeted on doing the fitting factor by our enterprise, our folks, and our prospects. I’ve at all times admired his authenticity, heat, and humor. He was a real companion to Walmart in each sense, and his integrity, grace, and kindness set the tone for everybody round him. I want him a retirement full of the identical pleasure, heat, and generosity of spirit he’s shared with all of us through the years.” — Denise Incandela, government vp of attire and personal manufacturers, Walmart
“Congratulations Jack in your retirement and your unimaginable profession. My sincerest gratitude and appreciation to your unwavering partnership and for all your assist. Wishing you and yours the easiest as you begin this subsequent thrilling chapter. Nobody deserves it extra. The influence that you’ve made, and the legacy you allow, are really exceptional.” — Sarah Hagland, government vp and common merchandising supervisor, girls’s, Kohl’s
“Jack has at all times been one in all my largest cheerleaders and supporters — amongst many doubters. Jack has proven by instance easy methods to stability being a real gentleman and a real chief. His sense of decency and equity has earned him not solely admiration, however real affection from everybody. I solely hope he’ll know the way deeply grateful I’m for the alternatives he has given me, in addition to his unwavering assist and encouragement. He has left an enormous mark on my life and everybody fortunate sufficient to have labored with him. Jack is a reminder that true class by no means goes out of favor and I want him a lot pleasure forward, realizing what an vital and constructive influence he has had on so many.” — Dee Ocleppo
Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger
Courtesy of Dee Ocleppo Assortment
“I need to thank Jack for being an unimaginable companion to Kohl’s for a number of many years, and for every little thing we’ve achieved collectively. We want you all the perfect in your retirement.” — Nick Jones, chief merchandising officer, Kohl’s
“We had been lucky to have such an ideal companion in Jack Gross. By each problem — from the uncertainty of COVID to the strains of tariffs — his optimism by no means wavered. He approached each impediment with calm confidence, clever counsel and a gradual perception that options may at all times be discovered. His perception, integrity and invaluable connections made an enduring influence on our enterprise, our crew and me personally. As he enters retirement, I hope he discovers new passions — whether or not in hobbies, journey or just having fun with extra time together with his household.” — MaryAnne Morin, president and chief merchandising officer, Belk
“My favourite reminiscence of Jack was the primary time [I met him]. I might be an lively man, however assembly Jack for the primary time you can very simply see that he has an power and a ardour for this trade that only a few folks may ever high. It’s an infectious power — it’s very troublesome to go away a dialog with Jack and never really feel like you can conquer the world. My hope for Jack is that as he strikes into this subsequent part of his life that he doesn’t lose that power, that he retains that very same ardour for our trade and takes that to the remainder of his life exterior of retail.” — Jon Bolman, senior vp of ready-to-wear and personal manufacturers, Belk
“Jack Gross is a residing legend in our trade — sharp, profitable and passionate, with a coronary heart of gold. Jack can be the consummate veteran negotiator who’s at all times on the ball. As Jack likes to say, he was ‘born in the course of the night time — however not final night time!’” — Yehuda Shmidman, founder, chairman and CEO, WHP World
Yehuda Shmidman
Courtesy
