James Henry Jannard
Chief mad scientist, chief visionary
Oakley Inc.
Born in Los Angeles, June 8, 1949
Lives on Spieden Island, Wash.
David Scott Olivet
Chief executive
Oakley Inc.
Born in Cheshire, Conn., April 24, 1962
Lives in Laguna Beach
Big year for Oakley duo.
Founder, former 63% owner Jannard opted to sell sunglasses company to longtime rival Luxottica of Italy for $2.1 billion in November. Pocketed $1.3 billion in sale.
Jannard no longer chairman but still chief mad scientist, chief visionary,his official titles. Plays role in product design. Company runs on cult of Jannard.
Observers say Jannard opted to sell amid changes. He passed reins to Olivet in 2005. Since then, Oakley expanded into fashion glasses, women’s clothes, more stores.
Meanwhile, Jannard’s side project,Lake Forest-based Red Digital Cinema Camera, a digital movie camera venture,is ramping up. Early models shipped after some initial glitches.
Luxottica committed to Oakley. Some wonder how long Jannard, Olivet will be around. Jannard signed five-year non-compete deal.
Olivet reports to Luxottica Chief Executive Andrea Guerra, who was on hand at Oakley in February for investor conference.
Luxottica, seller of Ray-Ban, upscale glasses looking to Oakley to help bring it to $8.7 billion in 2009 sales, up from $6.8 billion last year.
Company’s business showed some signs of slowing in first quarter.
Olivet credited with changes that made Oakley attractive to Luxottica. Companies traded lawsuits earlier in decade.
Former Nike, Gap executive. Oversaw 2006 acquisitions of fashion glasses sellers Oliver Peoples of Los Angeles; Aliso Viejo-based Optical Shop of Aspen International; Idaho’s Eye Safety Systems, maker of goggles, other protective gear.
Goals for 2008: double-digit sales growth, more stores, growing women’s line, expanding custom-made sunglasses, goggles business.
Before Oakley, 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, bachelor’s from Pomona College.
Born in Connecticut, raised in Colorado. Competitive runner in high school, college. “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.
Lives in Mark Singer contemporary house in Laguna with massive kitchen. Lots of art on walls. Calls himself a decent cook. Single.
Jannard rarely grants interviews. Splits time between OC home, 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, chief executive from 1999 to 2005. Company named after his favorite dog breed, Oakley English Setter show dogs.
Photography buff. Red Digital’s cameras use Oakley lenses.
Divorced. Seven children. Loves drag racing.
,Jessica Lee
Sally Frame Kasaks
Chairman, chief executive
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc.
Born in Detroit, June 26, 1944
Lives in Corona del Mar
Industry veteran busy fixing struggling retailer.
On Pacific Sunwear board for 10 years before stepping in as interim chief executive in 2006. Named permanent leader in May 2007.
Arguably most high-profile female executive in county.
Company runs 944 PacSun stores selling surf-inspired clothes. Closing 153 demo stores selling urban styles. Recently closed handful of One Thousand Steps shoe stores.
Taking company back to roots with focus on PacSun; mall chain selling clothes from local brands including Quiksilver, Billabong USA.
Demo chain worked earlier in decade, slumped in recent years. Four OC stores now closed; rest closing by this week.
Also shuttering Anaheim distribution center, shifting operation to Kansas City area.
Wall Street pleased with focus on PacSun.
Faces slow going for retailers. Weakening economy, high gas, other prices crimping shoppers’ spending.
Getting through rough patch by streamlining inventory at stores. Remodeling PacSun stores. Adding more fashionable styles for teen girls.
Retail veteran. Chairman, chief executive of Ann Taylor Stores from 1992 to 1996. President, chief executive of Limited’s Abercrombie & Fitch from 1989 to 1992. Chairman, chief executive of Talbots from 1985 to 1988. Director, Children’s Place, Crane & Co.
Graduated from American University in Washington, D.C.
As a child, moved to Iran with missionary parents. Likes gardening, spending time with grandchildren. Married, for 20 years. Husband retired.
,Jessica Lee
Robert Buchner McKnight Jr.
Chairman, chief executive, president
Quiksilver Inc.
Born in Pasadena, Aug. 17, 1953
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Quitting ski slopes for first love: surfing.
Has hands full trying to sell Rossignol, French snow gear maker bought for $560 million in 2005 that has spurred losses, Wall Street disenchantment.
Acquired Cleveland Golf unit as part of Rossignol, sold golf club maker to Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber Industries for $132 million in December.
Returning sole focus to clothes, other products inspired by surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding. That part of business holding up.
Company is biggest surfwear maker with $2 billion in yearly sales. Big presence in Europe, Australia, where company’s roots are.
Has maintained 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.”
Former right-hand man Bernard Mariette left as president in February. As driving force behind Rossignol deal, Mariette could seek to buy ski unit. Another potential buyer: France’s Look Cycle International, maker of bicycling equipment.
McKnight launching clothes for young women in college, starting careers. Looking to build on success of Roxy line for teens, young women.
Company only going so far in fashion. “We’re not making runway dresses,” he says.
As much a retailer as clothing company: runs 400-plus stores. Owns Australia’s Surfection. Company shops include Quiksilver Boardrider Clubs, Roxy, Hawk Clothing, Quiksilver Youth.
Started Quiksilver as trunks maker in 1976 with Jeff Hakman, Aussie surfer he met in Bali. Pair moved to OC that year.
Went public in 1986. Later bought out European licensee of Quiksilver, introduced Roxy brand. Bought out remaining global Quiksilver, Roxy trademarks from licensees in early 2000s.
Bought DC Shoes in 2004, drove turnaround of business.
Surf City headquarters spans 200,000 square feet, including warehouses. Cutting some local jobs, shifting some work to Mira Loma warehouse.
Considering relocating, consolidating within county. Developers courting. Could take as much as 500,000 square feet.
Company has travel division, full-time boat to scout surf spots. McKnight’s favorite trip: Mentawai Islands, off Sumatra, Indonesia.
Inducted into Surfers’ Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach in 2005.
Bachelor’s in business from University of Southern California. Delta Tau Delta fraternity brother with SEC Chairman Christopher Cox. 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. Has land on Hanalei Bay in Kauai. Hits waves on custom surfboards, or links with buddies surfer Kelly Slater, John Ashworth. Likes snowboarding, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, diving.
,Jessica Lee
Glenn Patrick McMahon
Chief executive
St. John Knits International Inc.
Born in Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1958
Lives in Corona del Mar
Fashion veteran helping 45-year-old clothing company get groove back after three-year struggle.
St. John,famous for elegant suits worn by politicians, celebrities, socialites in their 40s, 50s, 60s,recovering from unsuccessful push by former chief executive Richard Cohen to court younger wearers.
Core customers balked at tighter fits. Sales fell 4% to $375 million in 2005, prompting Cohen’s abrupt exit.
Director Philip Miller, longtime operations man Bruce Fetter served as interim chiefs before McMahon stepped in last year.
Company’s heritage runs deep. Founders Robert, Marie Gray started St. John in 1962. Built niche around signature Santana fabric, tightly knit rayon material Marie Gray invented. Daughter Kelly Gray worked as model, later as co-president with Fetter.
Mother-daughter team back as consultants.
Grays sold majority of company to New York’s Vestar Capital in 1999.
McMahon targeting $400 million in 2009 sales. Lots of experience under belt. Before St. John, headed U.S. arm of Italy’s Dolce & Gabbana. Cut teeth working for Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani.
Appealing to younger women still part of plan, though now a more balanced effort.
Biggest challenge McMahon expects: “fine art of balancing and evolving the St. John brand while at the same time respecting the brand’s 45-year heritage.”
One of eight children. Spent most of youth in Mendham, N.J., famous for beautiful horse country.
Father held posts at Litton Industries, Royal Crown Cola. Mother was avid sportswoman, managed household.
“No small feat considering so many children,” he says.
Graduated from American University in Washington, D.C.
Likes to swim, cycle. Newcomer to California, determined to learn to surf. Recently learned to ski. Loves art, architecture, traveling. Favorite foods: bread, chocolate.
,Jessica Lee
Paul Reneir Naude
President, Billabong USA,
executive director,
Billabong International Ltd.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Nov. 18, 1955
Lives in Laguna Beach
Heads U.S. business, largest market for Australian surfwear maker.
North American unit has yearly sales of $500 million, about 40% of parent’s $1.2 billion annual sales. Company is second-largest seller of clothes inspired by surfing, skateboarding after Quiksilver.
Has driven growth for Billabong for past few years. Like others, now faces slowing U.S. retail market. Another challenge: rising Australian dollar crimping growth, profits for parent.
Europe, Asia likely to be focus of Billabong’s growth this year.
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. Oversees nearly 600 workers in Irvine.
Former Gotcha exec, South African pro surfer. Been in the surf industry since 1973.
Made several acquisitions. Late last year, bought Hawaiian wetsuit maker Xcel International for undisclosed terms.
In 2005, bought Nixon watches. In 2001, bought Element skateboard clothing company; Von Zipper, sunglasses maker.
Stepped into retail in 2004. Bought Beach Access, chain of stores now called Beach Works that sells Billabong brands, other surf, skate apparel. Grabbed Honolua Surf Co. stores in Hawaii in 2004. Opened 5,800-square-foot shop under MTV’s Time Square studios in 2005.
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.
Was sergeant in tank regiment in South Africa during years of mandatory military service. Went to college in South Africa. Started fixing surfboards in 1970s. South African surfing champion in 1976.
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.
Has flown seaplanes on surf trips to South Pacific. Father flew seaplanes during World War II.
Company has two Albatross seaplanes once used for military search and rescue. Now transport surfers to prime waves.
Growing up in Durban, says he loved consistent surf there.
Likes to surf, snowboard, photograph wildlife in South Africa, spend time with family. Wife Debbie. Son Jason, daughter Frances.
,Jessica Lee
Pierre Andr & #233; Senizergues
Founder, chief executive
Sole Technology Inc.
Born in Antony, France, May 22, 1963
Lives in Newport Beach (Balboa Peninsula)
Apparel’s Al Gore.
Runs big maker of shoes, clothes inspired by skateboarding. Infuses company with passion for environment. Installed solar panels, native plants, other eco-friendly touches at headquarters, uses environmentally safe materials in shoes, clothes. Company’s 350,000-square-foot Fontana warehouse runs on wind, solar power.
Recently backed environmental awareness documentary “The 11th Hour” with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Company has yearly sales of more than $200 million. Makes hip brands etnies, & #233;S, Emerica, as well as ThirtyTwo snowboard boots, Altamont Apparel. Runs Sole Technology Institute, biomechanical skate shoe research center in Lake Forest.
Employs nearly 500 with offices in Lake Forest, New York, Switzerland, Netherlands, China, Britain, Spain.
Grew up in Paris suburb L’Hay-les-Roses. Was championship freestyle skateboarder in 1980s.
Earned degree in industrial software from University of Paris, 1984. Worked as IBM engineer in France. Dreamed of skateboarding in California. Saved money working at Big Blue, came to Los Angeles for vacation. Discovered in Venice by scouts from Sims Skateboards, axle maker Tracker.
“I thought I was going to wear a suit and tie for the rest of my life,” he says. “I left security to follow a passion.”
Humble early days. Lived in a van, relied on skate contest money. Moved into two-bedroom apartment with 15 other guys trying to make it in skateboarding. Slept behind living room couch for $50 a month.
Etnies brand stems from Rautureau Apple by French skateboarder Alain “Platoon” Montagnet. Senizergues met Rautureau Apple founders in 1988 at skate contest Trophee de Paris, started skating for them that same year. Worked out deal with Rautureau Apple to allow him to sell etnies in U.S. in 1990.
Restructured company in 1994. Bought rights to etnies brand from Rautureau Apple in 1996, competing with Nike for bid.
Opened 38,000-square-foot etnies skate park in 2003 with city of Lake Forest. Admission free, largely because of Sole’s support.
“I look at my life and what I have accomplished and I want to give back,” he said.
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.”
Enjoys skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, designing, playing electric guitars. Advocate of raw, organic food. Single. No children.
,Jessica Lee
HONORABLE MENTION:
BOB HURLEY
Chief executive
Nike Inc.’s Hurley International LLC
TODD SCARBOROUGH
President, Alstyle Apparel,
Vice president, apparel group, Ennis Inc.
IVAN SPIERS
Owner, president
nZania LLC
EDMOND THOMAS
Chief executive, president
Wet Seal Inc.
RICHARD “WOOLY” WOOLCOTT
Chief executive, president
Volcom Inc.
