Gores Group LLC on Monday said that Lewis L. Bird III has joined the firm as a managing director.

The Westwood investment firm headed by billionaire financier Alec Gores said that Bird will be operations group practice leader for the consumer and retail industry.

“We see many potential opportunities in that sector and think his being on the team will be a significant asset as we look for, acquire and operate more consumer and retail companies,” Mark Stone, senior managing director of the Gores Group, said in a statement.

Prior to joining Gores, Bird was group president at Nike, running that company’s portfolio of affiliate brands including Converse. He also supervised mergers and acquisitions and served on Nike’s executive committee. He was previously at Gap Inc. and held positions as chief operating officer of Gap’s flagship brand and chief financial officer of its Old Navy unit.

Bird will work with Jeff Schwartz, managing director of the Gores’ M&A group, the firm said.