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Laguna Hills
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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APPAREL

JAMES HENRY JANNARD

Founder, Chairman

Oakley Inc.

Born in Los Angeles, June 8, 1949

Lives on Spieden Island, Wash.


DAVID SCOTT OLIVET

CEO

Oakley Inc.

Born in Cheshire, Conn., April 24, 1962

Lives in Laguna Beach


Olivet putting mark on company long associated with founder Jannard, sunglasses.

Last year, Olivet bought fashion glasses sellers Oliver Peoples of Los Angeles, Aliso Viejo-based Optical Shop of Aspen International.

Also grabbed Idaho’s Eye Safety Systems, maker of goggles, other protective gear.

As part of ongoing shift for macho company, launched women’s line last year. Adding company stores, boosting clothing business.

Former Nike, Gap executive. Came on in late 2005.

Stressing technology: “We’re focused on moving people into sophisticated lens technology and educating consumers on what’s available and how they can translate our offerings into their specific needs.”

Goals for 2007: double-digit sales growth, improving stores, growing women’s line. Wants to see 20% growth or so to about $920 million in yearly revenue.

“We’re inching toward a billion in total revenue,” Olivet says. “It’s a fun, round number we certainly have our eyes on.”

Company known for sporty shades worn by athletes. Holds license to make glasses, goggles for Northern California’s Fox Racing. Owns major stake in Carlsbad-based Dragon Optical.

Before Oakley, Olivet was Nike VP overseeing several units: Cole Haan, Converse, Starter, Bauer-Nike Hockey, Costa Mesa’s Hurley International. Earlier, was Gap senior VP of real estate, store design, construction. Also did stint at Bain & Co. Has business master’s from Stanford University, bachelor’s from Pomona College.

Loves Oakley workers: “There’s an authenticity and an attitude at Oakley driven by a group of incredibly passionate people. Knowing you represent an iconic brand and having people rely on you makes you feel like what you’re doing is important.”

Born in Connecticut, raised in Colorado. Competitive runner in high school, college. An “avid dabbler” in golf, skiing. Passion for art, photography. Involved with Hosfelt art galleries in San Francisco, New York. Artists Jim Campbell, Michael Light among favorites.

Just bought Mark Singer contemporary house in Laguna Beach with massive kitchen. Plans to hang lots of art on walls. Calls himself a decent cook. Favorite food: “anything with high-dextrose.” Single.

Has to answer to Jannard, 63% owner. Given free hand so far.

Jannard company founder, visionary, focused on design. Rarely grants interviews. Splits time between OC, Spieden Island, Wash., a getaway he bought in 1997 for around $20 million.

University of Southern California dropout. Started selling motorcycle handle grips out of his station wagon in 1975, moved onto goggles, then sunglasses. Company president from 1975 to 1999, CEO in 1999.

Company named after his favorite dog breed, Oakley English Setter show dogs.

Photography buff. Started affordable high-resolution digital video camera maker Red Digital Cinema Camera of Foothill Ranch in 2006. Cameras use Oakley lenses.

Wife Bobbie, seven children. Loves drag racing.

,Jessica C. Lee

ROBERT BUCHNER MCKNIGHT JR.

Chairman, CEO

Quiksilver Inc.

Born in Pasadena, Aug. 17, 1953

Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)


The big kahuna.

Runs No. 1 surfwear maker with $2 billion in yearly sales. Employs 1,690 workers in Huntington Beach, 9,200 worldwide. Big presence in Europe, Australia, where company’s roots are.

Maintained surf cachet despite growing big. Compares company to Rolling Stones: “We’re an older brand, we’re mature, we do our thing and we know who we are.”

Sells everything from bikinis, board shorts to watches, luggage, golf clubs, skis.

2005 buy of France’s Skis Rossignol proving biggest challenge so far. Moved quickly to cut costs, streamline operations. But results have been hit or miss, with Rossignol a big drag for the quarter through January.

Has key right-hand man, buddy in President Bernard Mariette.

Big on retail with 400-plus stores. Owns Australia’s Surfection. Company shops include Quiksilver Boardrider Clubs, Roxy, Hawk Clothing, Quiksilver Youth.

Started Quiksilver as surf trunks maker in 1976 with Jeff Hakman, Aussie surfer he met in Bali. Pair moved to OC that year. Expanded products in 1980s. Went public in 1986. Later bought out European licensee of Quiksilver, introduced Roxy surf brand for teen girls.

Expanded in 1990s by adding boys, girls, toddlers, men’s products. Started own stores. Bought out remaining global Quiksilver, Roxy trademarks from licensees in early 2000s.

Bought DC Shoes to expand in shoes in 2004, drove turnaround of business.

Still looks to Rossignol to boost company with expansion slated for fall 2007. Wants upscale Rossignol clothes to sell at Fred Segal.

Launched coffee table Quiksilver book last fall. Personally oversaw project.

Surf City headquarters spans 700,000 square feet, including warehouses. Features big-wave video displays, stadium seating conference room, surfboards. High school buddy’s Orange Inn open inside headquarters. Wants to give surfer/skater workforce healthy food. Eats albacore, avocado sandwiches, fresh-squeezed orange juice, smoothies.

Company has travel division, full-time boat dedicated to scouting surf spots. His favorite trip: Mentawai Islands, off Sumatra, Indonesia.

Inducted into Surfers’ Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach in 2005.

Bachelor’s in business from USC. Delta Tau Delta fraternity brother with SEC Chairman Christopher Cox. Drove Porsche, described himself as “spoiled rich kid.” Made surfing videos as hobby.

Wife Annette (New Zealander he met, along with Hakman, on 1973 trip to Bali). Three children.

Trustee, Otis College of Art and Design. Lives in beachfront Laguna home. Has land on Hanalei Bay in Kauai. Hits waves on custom surfboards, or links with buddies surfer Kelly Slater, Fidra line designer John Ashworth. Likes snowboarding, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, diving.

,Jessica C. Lee


PAUL RENEIR NAUDE

President, Billabong USA

Executive Director,

Billabong International Ltd.

Born in Durban, South Africa,

Nov. 18, 1955

Lives in Laguna Beach

South African heading up U.S. business for Australian surfwear maker.

Billabong USA second to Quiksilver in sales of surf-inspired clothes. Took over U.S. operations in 1998. Rebuilt company after Bob Hurley, founder of Costa Mesa-based Hurley International, left to start own business, taking staff with him. Naude’s reputation in surfwear helped revive company, luring designers, other staff.

Former Gotcha exec, South African pro surfer.

Work at Billabong has been rewarding. Last year, earned more than CEO Derek O’Neill, thanks to big bonus.

Worldwide sales for Australian parent were $750.2 million in 2006. Naude’s division accounts for half at $370 million. Oversees 425 workers in Irvine.

Surfboard shaper Gordon Merchant started parent in 1973. Surf trunks, bikinis, jackets, other items sold in more than 90 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America.

Naude’s been in surf industry since 1973. Well respected.

Made several acquisitions. In 2005, bought Nixon watches. In 2001, nabbed Element skateboard clothing company, Von Zipper, sunglasses maker. Expanded with Element clothing, Von Zipper’s women frames.

Stepped into retail in 2004. Bought Beach Access, chain of stores now called Beach Works that sells Billabong brands, other surf, skate apparel. Grabbed 22 Honolua Surf Co. stores in Hawaii in 2004. Opened 5,800-square-foot shop under MTV’s Times Square studios in 2005. First East Coast shop devoted to Billabong.

Started wholesale line under Honolua Surf brand aimed at older surfers still wanting to be cool. Expanded Billabong Girls, which debuted in 1999. Introduced Kustom surf shoes to U.S. in 2005, an Australian brand Billabong acquired in 2004.

Plans to keep focus on boardsports.

Company taking part in Project Blue, charity effort by Vipe Desai of Propaganda Headquarters in Laguna Beach. Goal is to raise more than $1 million for ocean, beach protection. Billabong USA and Nixon brand are making limited edition products for project.

Was sergeant in tank regiment in South Africa during years of mandatory military service. Went to college in South Africa. Started fixing surfboards during the 1970s. South African surfing champion in 1976, same year he placed third in Pipe Masters.

Shifted to business after years on pro surfing tour. Co-owner of surfboard maker with three surf stores in Durban from 1974 to 1981. Became chief executive of Gotcha South Africa. Moved to U.S. in 1992 to become executive VP of Gotcha.

Vice president of Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. Supports charities Surf Aid International, Surfrider Foundation.

Calls OC economic capital of global surf industry, easy place to live.

Flew seaplanes on surf trips to South Pacific to uncharted spots. Father flew seaplanes during World War II.

Company has two “Albatross” seaplanes once used for military search, rescue. Now they transport surfers to prime waves. Sponsors big wave contests, movies to promote surfing.

Growing up in Durban, says he loved consistent surf there. Great memories of spending time with surfers Shaun, Michael Tomson.

Likes to surf, snowboard, photograph wildlife in South Africa, spend time with family. Married, wife Debbie. Son Jason, daughter Frances.

,Jessica C. Lee


PIERRE ANDR & #201; SENIZERGUES

Founder, CEO

Sole Technology Inc.

Born in Antony, France, May 22, 1963

Lives in Newport Beach (Balboa Peninsula)


Champion freestyle skateboarder in 1980s now sits atop big skateboarding shoe company.

Company makes hip brands etnies, & #233;S, Emerica, as well as ThirtyTwo snowboard boots, Altamont Apparel. Runs Sole Technology Institute, biomechanical skate shoe research center.

Threw big party last year for 20th anniversary of company. In October, had Beastie Boys play at company’s Lake Forest headquarters. Partied for whole year in New York, Paris. Opened SoHo office, showroom.

Also in 2006: opened 350,000-square-foot warehouse in Fontana. Acquired A4 Distribution in Britain. Started apparel division Altamont. Think denim pants with different washes, shirts with vintage fabrics. Hosted French students at headquarters.

Yearly sales estimated at more than $200 million. Employs 470 people with offices in Lake Forest, New York, Switzerland, Netherlands, China, Britain.

Brand has skate punk, hippie flavors. Hired first environmental affairs manager, Roian Atwood, earlier this year.

Grew up in Paris suburb L’Ha & #729;-les-Roses. Etnies brand stems from Rautureau Apple by French skateboarder Alain “Platoon” Montagnet. Senizergues met Rautureau Apple founders in 1988 at skate contest Troph & #233;e de Paris, started riding for them that same year.

Dreamed of skating in California. Worked out a deal with Rautureau Apple to allow him to distribute etnies in U.S. Started selling shoes in 1989. Worked out of his van, traveling from skate shop to skate shop. Took on a lot of debt to get started.

Started designing for etnies in U.S., took over worldwide distribution. Restructured company in 1994. Bought rights to etnies brand from Rautureau Apple in 1996, competing with Reebok, Nike for bid. Formed Sole Technology as umbrella company.

Opened 38,000-square-foot etnies skate park in 2003 with city of Lake Forest. Admission free, largely because of Sole’s support.

Biggest challenge: keeping momentum with company’s growth. Personal passion is to make company more environmentally conscious. Headquarters powered by solar electricity. Electric carts transport workers to company’s four buildings. Company attaches soles with water-based adhesive instead of petroleum-based cement.

Stunned by company’s success: “I never would have thought that my passion for skateboarding would have led me to my dreams of owning a global company with seven brands that is represented in more than 70 countries all over the world.”

Earned degree in industrial software from the University of Paris in 1984. Worked as engineer for IBM in France. Won freestyle skateboarding championships, including European Championship in 1982. Loves skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, designing, playing electric guitars. Advocate of raw, organic food. Single. No children.

,Jessica C. Lee


_________________________________________________________

HONORABLE MENTION

RAJ BHATHAL

Chairman

Raj Manufacturing Inc.

BRUCE FETTER

Interim CEO, Chief Operating Officer

St. John Knits International Inc.

BOB HURLEY

CEO

Nike Inc.’s Hurley International LLC

TODD SCARBOROUGH

President, Alstyle Apparel

Vice President, apparel group, Ennis Inc.

IVAN SPIERS

Owner

nZania LLC

JOEL WALLER

Chairman, CEO, President

Wet Seal Inc.

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