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GREENSBORO - When VF Corp. Chairman Mackey J. McDonald retires Aug. 1, count on him to keep wearing his Wrangler jeans, Nautica shirts, John Varvatos sports coats, The North Face jackets and Reef sandals.

"Oh, yeah," said McDonald, who announced his retirement Thursday. "Forever. VF will be in my heart forever."

Those brands are just a few of the growing list in the VF stable, many of which the company acquired under McDonald's leadership.

The company said Thursday that over the past dozen years, VF has made 34 acquisitions worth $3.4 billion.

In the process, McDonald led the company's transformation from a jeans and bra manufacturer focused primarily on the U.S. to a $7 billion, global, lifestyle brands company with more than 47,000 employees.

"It has really been something to watch," said Peter Tourtellot, managing director of Anderson Bauman Tourtellot Vos & Co., a turnaround management company. "It has been done remarkably well in a very difficult environment."

McDonald's low-key style and penchant for success have made him one of the city's most respected business executives.

"I think he is leaving VF poised to do even better," Tourtellot said. "That's the real test of a manager."

McDonald, 61, has worked at VF for 25 years, including 11 years as CEO, a position he relinquished Jan. 1, and 10 years as chairman.

When McDonald steps down, VF President and CEO Eric C. Wiseman, 52, will become chairman.

McDonald said he's most proud of the management team he's put together.

"I have always told myself you need to move on when that next group is ready and before everyone else has decided it's time for you to move on," McDonald said. "That is what I have done. I feel great about Eric and his capabilities and the leadership team. I felt it was time for me to turn it over to them and let them do what it is they do so well."

Wiseman had high praise for his mentor.

"Mackey McDonald is a tremendous leader and a very special person," Wiseman said in a statement. "(His) impact on VF will last well beyond his presence."

On the downside, McDonald said, there have been some disappointments, such as brands the company didn't get to acquire - he wouldn't say what they were - and the company's recent stock performance.

VF shares have fallen from a high of about $96 last July to less than $64 in January.

"Over time that will self- correct and the investment community will understand how strong VF is, even in a tough economic environment," he said.

"Our performance has been stronger than most apparel stocks."

There's also another possible downside for McDonald. Will he continue to get his employee discount after he retires?

"I'm going to have to work on that," he said. "Maybe it will be my retirement gift."

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com