Guess Inc. late Wednesday said that it named its chief information officer, Michael Relich, to the position of chief operating officer.

The COO position at the Los Angeles apparel chain has been open since the departure of J. Michael Prince in December.

Relich, who took on additional responsibilities when Prince left, has been information chief for the nine years. He has overseen information technology, e-commerce and strategic planning. He had held the same position at retailer Wet Seal Inc.

“I believe, more than ever, that the integration of technology, speed, and brand synergy is vital for our success,” Chief Executive Paul Marciano said in a statement. “Michael’s proven experience in these areas makes him a great fit.”

The announcement was made after the markets closed. Guess shares earlier closed up 14 cents, or less than 1 point, to $30.16 on the New York Stock Exchange, and fell 2 percent in afterhours trading.