The Michigan-based supplier, which specializes in uniforms, is naming Jose Gomez its president and CEO.

An 11-year veteran at Edwards Garment Company (PPAI 198530, S11), Gomez has been serving as the supplier’s president since July 2021.

The move establishes Gomez as the permanent leader for the company amid the continuing retirement transition for Gary Schultz, who had kept the CEO title over the past 14 months, but now becomes the chairman at Edwards. Schultz has led the company for more than 20 years.

Gomez says, "I am excited to lead our already very successful teams in the U.S. and Canada, and to continue growing our presence and brands while staying true to our key values of providing great product and great services to our customers."

Gomez joined Edwards in 2011 as its vice president of sourcing and operations. He transitioned to a senior operations VP role in early 2019, overseeing the company’s supply chain teams. He had previously been the director of sourcing at Georgia-based supplier Alternative Apparel.

What They’re Saying

• In May, EdwardsX announced a hire to help backfill Gomez’s promotion, naming operations and supply chain expert Max Feldman a vice president.

• Privately held and family owned since 1867, Edwards is a full-service provider of uniform program solutions.

• Its top markets for corporate uniforms include culinary, suiting, hospitality and security

“The Board of Directors recognizes Jose’s leadership helped Edwards serve customers well the past year,” Schultz says. “His vision for the company will help assure being able to respond to market changes and customer needs. With him as CEO, the future looks very bright.”

A statement from the company explains that Gomez’s vision is already creating results, with Edwards on pace for a “record-shattering” year in 2022 for both its ready-to-ship and EdwardsX (custom apparel) divisions.

When announcing the promotion of Gomez to president in 2021, Schultz cited his knowledge of the apparel business, including insider knowledge and experience, along with the capacity of his tenure at the company to preserve its culture.

The Company

With Gomez already entrenched as president, Edwards last fall completed the rebranding of Bishop Custom Clothing to create its EdwardsX brand following the acquisition of Bishop in 2019.

“Throughout these past two years, the leadership team began merging services to take full advantage of the many synergies between the two organizations,” Gomez said then. “It was time to complete the integration with a fresh rebrand of this great team.”