After two years of retirement, Joe Simsoly is back in the top spot of the Torrance, CA-based apparel company he founded in 2003.

Simsoly is stepping in as the interim CEO of Top 40 supplier Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) for the next six months or so, according to the company. Randy Hales, who became co-CEO with Simsoly in November 2020 before taking over when Simsoly retired in August 2021, is no longer with the company.

Joe Simsoly, interim CEO of Next Level Apparel

During his stint as interim CEO, Simsoly will be “focusing on strong production and operations structure” and getting “back to the basics” of the brand’s reputation, according to his son Eric Simsolo, vice president of business development.

The supplier posted a 3.6% revenue decline from 2021 to 2022, which it attributed to a slower economy in the back half of 2022.

The supplier also announced a partnership with Oritain to help keep forced labor out of its supply chain. Oritain uses forensic and data science to verify the origin of products and raw materials. Also this year, Next Level Apparel said it was transitioning to recycled polyester, switching over to U.S.-grown cotton and partnering with a firm to help nearshore its fabric supply.

Simsoly came to the U.S. from Israel in 1980, first launching a denim brand, then founding a sublimation printing facility. After getting regular requests for higher-quality T-shirts from customers, he founded Next Level Apparel in 2003, building a company known for its cool, fashion-forward styles.

Next Level Apparel is the ninth-largest supplier in the industry, with 2022 North American promotional products revenue of $265 million.