Fawn Evenson, president of the Footwear Division of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), is retiring after 32 years in the footwear industry. Ms Evenson is also AAFA vice president, Global Initiatives. Her retirement will take effect from June 1.

Ms Evenson was chairman of the US Government’s Industry Sector Advisory Committee for Footwear, Leather and Leather Products from 1976 until 2004, and is now vice chair of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Textiles and Clothing. The panel, appointed by the White House, advises the US government on trade policy. She has advised in every bilateral and multilateral trade negotiation in which the US has been involved since 1976.

Ms Evenson will assist the AAFA part-time through the summer with two programmes to be held in China in late September.

AAFA is the US national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market.