CalExotics Elevates Two Veterans to Key Leadership Roles

Emily Davis · 2026-07-09

CalExotics, a well-known name in the intimate products industry, has just announced some major moves within its executive team. The company promoted two long-time employees, Lupe Martinez and Austin Ferdinand, to top leadership positions. This shake-up is all about doubling down on innovation, improving customer service, and setting the stage for more growth down the road. ### Lupe Martinez Takes the Marketing Reins Lupe Martinez is stepping up as the new Executive Director of Marketing. She's been with CalExotics for 24 years, which is a solid chunk of time in any industry. Over those years, she's worked her way up through sales, retail marketing, and business development. That means she knows the ins and outs of what retailers and distributors actually need. In her new role, Martinez will oversee the entire marketing machine. That includes brand strategy, product launches, public relations, creative services, trade shows, and all the digital stuff. Her main goal? To make the CalExotics brand even stronger and create marketing programs that actually help customers grow their own businesses. "I'm excited to bring my customer experience into our marketing strategy," Martinez said. "I want to create programs that strengthen our partnerships and help our customers succeed." ### Austin Ferdinand Leads Business Development Austin Ferdinand has been promoted to Vice President of Business Development. With 20 years under his belt at CalExotics, he's been a key player in expanding customer relationships and driving revenue. Now, he'll take charge of the company's global business development and sales strategy. His focus is on building stronger partnerships and sniffing out new opportunities for growth. It's a role that requires a steady hand and a deep understanding of what makes the market tick. "Our customers have always been at the center of everything we do," Ferdinand said. "I'm honored to take on this new role and look forward to building on the strong relationships we've established while helping drive the next phase of CalExotics' growth." ### What This Means for the Company Susan Colvin, Founder and CEO of CalExotics, made it clear that these promotions aren't just about rewarding loyalty. They're strategic moves designed to keep the company moving forward. "Lupe and Austin have each dedicated more than two decades to CalExotics, and their leadership has been instrumental in our success," Colvin said. "These promotions recognize their outstanding contributions and position us to better serve our customers while continuing to grow our business." Here's a quick breakdown of why this matters: - **Deep institutional knowledge:** Combined, Martinez and Ferdinand have 44 years of experience at CalExotics. That's a lot of insight into what works and what doesn't. - **Customer-first approach:** Both leaders have spent years working directly with retailers and distributors, so they know the challenges firsthand. - **Growth focus:** The promotions signal that CalExotics is serious about expanding its reach and staying competitive. With these two veterans at the helm of marketing and business development, CalExotics looks ready to keep pushing forward. The company is betting that experience and strong relationships will pay off in a big way.