FREEPORT – L.L. Bean has appointed Ed Howell as chief retail officer and Ken Kacere as senior vice president and general manager of retail.

Howell, a former L.L.Bean employee, will also serve as a member of the office of the president. He was with the company from 1987 until 1996, serving as vice president and general manager of men’s apparel, footwear and L.L.Bean Kids, a business he is credited with starting.

He had been president of the Sorel Division of Columbia Sportswear. Prior to Columbia he was president and chief executive officer of Eastern Mountain Sports.

Kacere joined L.L.Bean three years ago as vice president of factory stores after 16 years with G.H. Bass & Co., where he held the position of executive vice president of retail operations and general manager/brand marketing president of Bassnet.

He will continue to lead Bean’s 13 Factory Stores until a successor is named.