Mizzen+Main CEO to Step Down to Fight ‘crony Capitalism' With Koch-funded Policy Group

Mizzen+Main founder Kevin Lavelle is stepping down as CEO from the Dallas-based men's dress shirt business that he founded in 2012.Lavelle will stay on as chairman but is moving to Arlington, Va., for a new job unrelated to retail and fashion. Lavelle is joining the Seminar Network, a conservative and libertarian organization founded in 2003 by Charles Koch. The group has members from diverse backgrounds who come together, according to its website, to fight causes such as persistent poverty and a failing education system.Lavelle will direct an effort "to end crony capitalism." His plans have been in the works for a while, and he helped pick his successor at Mizzen+Main, a dress shirt maker that uses performance fabrics.Chris Phillips will become CEO of the company on May 1. Phillips comes from Stitch Fix, where he was general manager for men's, kids and exclusive brands. He has 24 years of experience in retail that includes executive positions at Gap Inc. and Canadian retailer Comark."I'm very proud of what we've done," Lavelle said. "But as many founders do, I've reached a point when it makes sense for someone else to come in."  Continue reading...