Nike announced that Charlie Denson, NIKE Brand President since 2006 and a 34-year veteran of the brand, will retire in January 2014. In conjunction with Denson’s decision to retire, the Company also announced strategic changes in its executive management team as part of the Company’s long-term organizational strategy to align the business to continue to drive growth. The changes reflect the Company’s focus on the consumer by accelerating innovation, elevating design, aligning product and merchandising excellence, optimizing go-to-market strategies and sharpening focus on supply chain and manufacturing capabilities.
Effective July 1, 2013, Trevor Edwards, currently the EVP of Brand and Category Management, will become the new NIKE Brand President leading all category and geographic business units, the Jordan Brand, Action Sports which includes Hurley International LLC, Digital Sport and brand management throughout the world. The team reporting to Edwards will be organized to optimize an integrated marketplace and will now include NIKE’s wholesale, retail and e-commerce operations.
Eric Sprunk, currently the EVP of Merchandising and Product, will become NIKE, Inc.’s Chief Operating Officer leading all manufacturing, sourcing, IT and procurement for the company. In this role, Sprunk will also continue to oversee the company’s efforts to drive innovation in the supply chain. Hans van Alebeek will remain EVP of Global Operations & Technology reporting to Sprunk.
Jeanne Jackson, currently the President of Direct-to Consumer, will become President of Product and Merchandising, leading NIKE’s product engines and merchandising. Jackson will be responsible for driving the strategy for creating all footwear, apparel and equipment for the company and leading the merchandising of product to the global marketplace.
Dr. Thomas Clarke, currently the President of New Business Development, will become President of Innovation. He will lead NIKE’s Advanced Product Innovation Teams and the Sustainable Business & Innovation (SB&I) team. Hannah Jones will remain VP of SB&I reporting to Clarke and will continue to report to Parker on policy matters relating to sustainability and labor practices.
Edwards, Sprunk, Jackson and Clarke will report directly to Mark Parker, NIKE, Inc.’s President and CEO, along with Parker’s current direct reports including Hilary Krane who becomes EVP, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Don Blair, EVP and Chief Financial Officer, David Ayre, EVP of Global Human Resources, John Slusher, EVP of Global Sports Marketing, Jim Calhoun, President & CEO of Converse, John Hoke, VP of Global Design and Tinker Hatfield, VP of Creative Concepts.
“Charlie’s contributions to NIKE are deeply significant and he’s helped build the brand around the world. I’ve worked with him for more than 30 years and I will miss him,” said Parker. “We have a thoughtful succession strategy in place and have built a highly experienced, consumer-focused executive management team with the expertise, acumen, and brand knowledge required to continue to build sustainable growth for NIKE, Inc. for the long-term.”
Prior to his retirement in January 2014, Denson will work closely with Parker to help manage the transition.
ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT CHANGES
The company also announced a number of additional senior management changes.
Gary DeStefano, President of Global Operations, has decided to retire after 31 years with the company. His retirement is effective July 29, 2013. Effective July 1, Elliott Hill, VP & GM of North America, will become President of Geographies and Sales. Jayme Martin, the VP & GM of Global Running, will become VP & GM of Global Categories. NIKE Golf will now report to Martin. Christiana Shi, the VP of e-commerce, will become President of Direct to Consumer, leading NIKE’s retail and e-commerce organizations. Hill, Martin and Shi will report directly to Edwards.
“I would like to thank Gary for his leadership, particularly for the important role he played in building our geography structure around the world and his dedication to the company. We greatly value his contributions and his part in developing the next generation of leaders at NIKE,” said Parker.
As Hill moves into his new role, Joaquin Hidalgo, the VP & GM of Emerging Markets, will become the VP & GM of North America and Roland Wolfram, the VP & GM of NIKE Football, will become the VP & GM of Emerging Markets. Hidalgo and Wolfram will report to Hill.
As Martin moves into his new role, Patrick Seehafer, the VP of Global Footwear for Converse, will become the VP & GM of NIKE Running. Dermott Cleary, the VP & GM of NIKE Sportswear, will become the VP & GM of NIKE Football. Dirk-Jan van Hameren, the VP of NIKE Sportswear for Western Europe, will become the VP & GM of NIKE Sportswear. Seehafer, Cleary and van Hameren will report to Martin.
ABOUT NIKE
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Ore., is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.
