NEW YORK, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) today announced that Cynthia DiPietrantonio has been appointed Chief Operations Officer. Cindy has provided the Company with over 24 years of dedicated and excellent service in many capacities, most recently as Executive Vice President, Customer Relations and Corporate Credit. In her new role as Chief Operations Officer, Cindy will be the Senior Corporate Executive responsible for our Bristol, Pennsylvania based operations group, including Customer Service, Allocations, Distribution and Management Information Systems. Cindy serves on the Executive Committee of VICS (the Voluntary Inter-Industry Commerce Solutions Association), the leading collaborative group for retailers and suppliers. She will report to Wesley R. Card, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Credit and Collections functions will now be a part of our financial group, also located in Bristol, and will report to John McClain, Chief Financial Officer.

The Company also announced the promotion of Norman Veit to Executive Vice President, Management Information Services. Norm is a seasoned Operations/Systems Manager and has been with Jones Apparel Group for 5 years as Senior Vice President, Corporate MIS. Prior to joining Jones Apparel Group he was Vice President of Information Technology for Ames Department Stores. Norm will report to Cindy DiPietrantonio.

Michael Kauffman, Executive Vice President, Distribution Operations, will also report to Cindy DiPietrantonio. Mike is an industry veteran and has been with Jones for approximately 8 years in a variety of senior distribution positions. Prior to Jones, Mike held various senior distribution positions with Perry Ellis/Salant and Calvin Klein. Mike has overall responsibility for Distribution Operations, Logistics and the Customs Compliance area.

Wesley R. Card, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Along with the recent appointment of John McClain to the position of Chief Financial Officer, these organizational changes will provide for strong and experienced leadership in our operations and financial groups. I am confident in the ability of these executives to lead and to continue to provide excellent customer service and to enhance our ability to meet customer requirements."

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (http://www.jny.com), a Fortune 500 company, is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company also markets directly to consumers through our chain of specialty retail and value-based stores, and operates the Barneys New York chain of luxury stores. The Company's nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, Norton McNaughton, Erika, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon, Le Suit and Barneys New York. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation and footwear under the Dockers Women brand licensed from Levi Strauss & Co. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. The Company contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The Company has capitalized on its nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of its trademarks, including Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., with select manufacturers of women's and men's products which the Company does not manufacture. For more than 30 years, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

CONTACT:
Wesley R. Card, President and Chief Executive Officer
Jones Apparel Group, Inc.
1-215-781-5204
or
Joele Frank
or
Sharon Stern
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher for Jones Apparel Group, Inc.
1-212-355-4449
Web site: http://www.jny.com