Board of Directors

Jerry D. Guess is a principal shareholder, director and chairman of the Board of Directors of Guess & Co. Group, Inc. Mr. Guess has over 20 years of business and professional experience. A serial entrepreneur, he started his first business when he was 13 years old. He launched a public relations and marketing firm at the age of 15 years old. When he was 16 years old, he started a holding company that grew rapidly within a few months. Mr. Guess began acquiring companies when he was 17 years of age. Despite personal setbacks, Mr. Guess decided to launch a mission-driven company when he founded Guess & Co. Corporation in 2017. Determined to positively impact society, Mr. Guess assembled a Board of Directors and management team while initially serving in a non-executive capacity as a principal. Mr. Guess completed business coursework at Adams State University. He was appointed chairman of Guess & Co. Corporation in January of 2019, a predecessor entity. As chairman, Mr. Guess oversees the Board of Directors of Guess & Co. Group, Inc. He is a member of the executive committee.  

Kevin J. Kline is a principal shareholder, director and senior deputy chairman of the Board of Directors of Guess & Co. Group, Inc.. Mr. Kline retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division in Connecticut. He managed over 175 employees in that field office and oversaw National Security, Intelligence and Administrative programs for the division. Prior to overseeing the New Haven FBI office, Mr. Kline was an Inspector at the FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for conducting compliance audits of FBI field offices and working closely with the FBI Director. During his time at FBI headquarters, he created and implemented a new method to assess the performance of FBI executives. Prior to working at headquarters, Mr. Kline was the On-Scene Commander in Afghanistan for the FBI’s Counter-terrorism Division. Prior to his international assignment, Mr. Kline was Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Division in Massachusetts. While overseeing the Boston division, Mr. Kline managed over 225 employees and put together joint task forces for terrorism investigations. He also led the team in successfully locating, apprehending, and securing a conviction of a Boston organized crime fugitive. As Supervisory Special Agent for the Newark Division in New Jersey, Mr. Kline led the investigation related to the 9/11 attacks in New Jersey and United Airlines Flight 93. Mr. Kline earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Canisius College. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from The Albany Law School of Union University. Mr. Kline joined Guess & Co. Corporation in December of 2020 as special adviser. He was appointed chief special adviser in October of 2021. Mr. Kline joined the Board of Directors of Guess & Co. Group, Inc. in February of 2025 and was appointed senior deputy chairman. He continues to serve as chief special adviser to subsidiaries, including Guess & Co. Corporation. Mr. Kline is a member of the executive committee of Guess & Co. Group, Inc. 

James R. Jackson is a principal shareholder, director and deputy chairman of the Board of Directors of Guess & Co. Group, Inc.  Mr. Jackson is an experienced financial professional. He retired from Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) after over 37 years of service. He began his financial career as a fiduciary tax associate for the financial institution. Mr. Jackson became a charitable trust officer for the bank and was responsible for managing over 500 accounts for the bank's wealth management clients. Following his retirement, Mr. Jackson became a partner in a private security service. In that role, he facilitated training and handled administration and business development. Mr. Jackson joined Guess & Co. Corporation initially as special adviser and worked closely with the board of directors and senior management on important matters. As a director and senior deputy chairman, Mr. Jackson is responsible for overseeing the governance of the company along with the chairman. Mr. Jackson served as vice-chairman prior to his current position. He was appointed deputy chairman in October 2021 and senior deputy chairman in April of 2022.  He joined the Board of Directors of Guess & Co. Group, Inc. in February of 2025 and was appointed deputy chairman. 

Frank E. "Chip" Barnes III, is a principal shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors of Guess & Co. Group, Inc. He is a veteran financial executive, investor, and strategic adviser with decades of experience in commercial and investment banking, private equity, and corporate leadership. As the founder and executive director of Carolina Barnes Corporation, he has provided financial and strategic guidance across defense, telecom, maritime transportation, media, energy, and real estate sectors. Mr. Barnes previously held senior roles at major financial entities, including Bankers Trust, Warburg Paribas Becker, and Prudential-Bache Securities, where he originated significant financial and principal investment transactions. His work included participation in a landmark bond offering for Ted Turner’s start-up news network (CNN), closing of a major merger with British Telecom, creation of first institutional private placement for Public Storage Inc., and recently, served as advisor for the parent of South Atlantic Cable System which links Africa with South America. As a board member, he was head of independent directors during the restructuring of SFX Entertainment in its successful emergence from Chapter 11 status. Over his career, he has held board and principal positions in real estate, media, energy, telecommunications, defense-related, and global shipping organizations. Mr. Barnes graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed the MBA program at its Kenan-Flagler Business School, and passed the required SEC/FINRA security industry exams.