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
Born in Cheshire, Conn., April 24, 1962
Lives in Laguna Beach
So far so buono.
Key executives behind sunglasses maker bought by Italy’s Lux-ottica for $2.1 billion in late 2007. Parent company helping to expand globally. Oak-ley a bright spot for Luxottica amid slowing sales of luxury goods, falling profits.
Oakley, with yearly sales of about $1 billion, saw double-digit 2008 growth. Luxottica looking for more growth. Oakley benefiting from added sales from Luxottica’s Sun-glass Hut store chain, more sales of prescription frames, custom sunglasses.
Jannard is Oakley founder, product vi-sionary. Former 63% owner opted to sell evolving company to longtime rival Luxot-tica, pocketed $1.3 billion.
Jannard now chief mad scientist, chief visionary,his official titles. Plays role in product design. Company runs on cult of Jannard.
Spending more time on hobby turned business,Lake Forest-based Red Digital Cinema Camera, digital movie camera venture. TNT’s “Leverage” with Timothy Hutton among those using Red camera.
Olivet on Red board, running Oakley since 2005. Has expanded into collections, custom products, women’s glasses, more stores. Credited with changes that made Oakley attractive to Luxottica.
Some company watchers speculated Olivet, Jannard might have moved on by now. Both now into second year with Luxottica. Jannard signed five-year non-compete deal.
Olivet reports to Luxottica Chief Executive Andrea Guerra, who talks up Oakley at quarterly analyst meetings.
Oakley, Luxottica traded lawsuits earlier in decade in fight over sales in Sunglass Huts.
Olivet former Nike, Gap executive. Oversaw 2006 Oakley acquisitions of fashion glasses sellers: Oliver Peoples; Optical Shop of Aspen International; Eye Safety Systems, maker of goggles, other protective gear.
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.
Did stint at Bain & Co. 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. Oakley memorabilia throughout. Single. Goes by “Scott.”
Jannard intensely private. Splits time among OC home, Nevada, Spieden Island, Wash., getaway he bought in 1997 for around $20 million. USC dropout. Started selling motorcycle handle grips out of station wagon in 1975, moved on to goggles, then sunglasses.
Company president from 1975 to 1999, chief executive from 1999 to 2005. Company named after his favorite dog breed, Oakley English Setters.
Engaged. Seven children from prior marriage. Loves drag racing.
,
Michael Lyster
Sally Frame Kasaks
Chairman, chief executive
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc.
Born in Detroit, June 26, 1944
Lives in Corona del Mar
No day at beach for executive in charge of surf-inspired retailer.
Heads Pacific Sun-wear, which runs some 900 mall stores selling clothes from
top local designers. Company fighting to survive worst retail downturn in recent memory.
Sales in prolonged slump as fickle young shoppers cut back spending or go to Hot Topic or Zumiez. Seen losses from blowout sales, restructuring charges.
Made job cuts, reduced amount of clothes sold. Sold Anaheim warehouse after shifting operation to Kansas City area.
Earlier closed chain of stores selling urban-style clothes, shuttered small chain of shoe stores.
Faced short proxy battle by small Miami retailer Adrenalina, which was rebuffed in long-shot, $329 million bid to buy Pacific Sunwear.
Earlier this month, Adrenalina, which owns about 3% of Pacific Sunwear, agreed not to run dissident candidates after meeting with independent directors.
Kasaks a director for 10 years before stepping in as interim chief in 2006. Named permanent leader in 2007.
Arguably most high-profile female executive in county. Only woman CEO out of major locally based public companies.
Analysts call company “broken story for the time being.” Some give Kasaks
benefit of doubt, say company likely to survive.
Retail veteran. Chairman, chief executive of AnnTaylor Stores, 1992 to 1996. President, chief executive of Limited’s Abercrombie & Fitch, 1989 to 1992.
Chairman, chief executive of Talbots, 1985 to 1988. Director, Children’s Place, Crane & Co.
Being honored in May with Otis Creative Vision Award from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.
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 Ivar retired.
Michael Lyster
Robert Buchner McKnight Jr.
Chairman, chief executive, president
Quiksilver Inc.
Born in Pasadena, Aug. 17, 1953
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Trying to revive iconic surf-inspired clothing maker after wipeout on French alps.
2005 buy of French ski maker Rossignol for $560 million continues to haunt Quik-silver, even after selling business for $50 million in November fire sale.
Company has about $1 billion in debt from Rossignol buy, borrowing to keep business going prior to sale. Recent market value of about $200 million.
Last year, McKnight let go former No. 2 Bernard Mariette, Frenchman instrumental in Rossignol buy, longtime friend of Boix-Vives family, which sold majority of company to Quiksilver.
Trying to rework near-term debt. In talks with bankers, says “quality of the Quiksilver brand remains unquestioned.”
Cut 400 jobs last year, 200 so far this year. Deal to sell growing DC Shoes brand in works to handle $316 million in debt due this year, 2010. Looking for investor to help deal with long-term debt.
McKnight this year featured in Microsoft commercial talking about “economic tsunami,” staying ahead of “wolf pack.”
Calls current industry downturn “worse than anything we’ve seen.”
Focusing on core business: clothes, shoes, other products inspired by surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding. Company is biggest surfwear maker with $2 billion in yearly sales. Big in Europe, Australia, where company’s roots are.
Clothes sold at Costco, department stores, along with surf shops. As much a retailer as clothing company: runs about 460 company stores. Plans to close 25,handful closed already as leases come up. Not enough cash on hand to buyout leases.
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.
Avid surfer. Favorite spot: Mentawai Is-lands, off Sumatra, Indonesia. Inducted into Sur-fers’ Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach in 2005.
Business bachelor’s from USC. Delta Tau Delta fraternity brother with former 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. Also likes snowboarding, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, diving.
,
Michael Lyster
Glenn Patrick McMahon
Chief executive
St. John Knits International Inc.
Born in Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1958
Lives in Corona del Mar
Fashion veteran weathering storm at 45-year-old women’s clothier.
St. John famous for elegant suits worn by politicians, celebrities, socialites in their 40s, 50s, 60s and older. McMahon leading bid to appeal to younger wo-men without alienating longtime wearers.
Launched separate SoCa line of younger, more casual resort clothes in October. Opened SoCa store at South Coast Plaza.
Company’s suits, cocktail dresses, other clothes feeling pull of consumer spending downturn. Sales down slightly last year to about $390 million.
In January, held subdued fall fashion show in Irvine, saying “huge cocktail party wasn’t appropriate.”
Laid off workers. Has about 1,000 workers at Irvine headquarters, factory. Another 500 in Tijuana.
Faces decision on what to do with 169,555-square-foot Irvine plant. Building sold to developer Hines Interests in 2006, leased back. Hines plans to replace factory with offices.
No official word on St. John’s plans. McMahon says company plans to keep headquarters, production local.
Company’s heritage runs deep. Founders Robert, Marie Gray started St. John in 1962. Built niche around signature Santana fabric Marie Gray invented. Daughter Kelly Gray worked as model, later as co-president with current COO Bruce Fetter.
Mother-daughter team back as consultants (Kelly has side gig at Royal Underground with M & #246;tley Cr & #252;e’s Nikki Sixx). Grays sold majority of company to New York’s Vestar Capital in 1999.
McMahon joined in 2007. Earlier headed U.S. arm of Italy’s Dolce & Gabbana. Cut teeth working for Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani.
Stylish, debonair. One of eight children. Spent most of youth in Mendham, N.J., fa-mous for beautiful horse country.
Father held posts at Litton Industries, Royal Crown Cola. Mother was avid sportswoman, managed household.
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.
,
Michael Lyster
Paul Reneir Naude
President, Billabong USA
executive director,
Billabong International Ltd.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Nov. 18, 1955
Lives in Laguna Beach
Faring better Down Under in tough times for surfwear.
Heads Americas bus-iness for Australian clothing maker. Seeing results helped by last year’s 35% drop in Australian dollar ag-ainst greenback. Six-month sales through December up 34% to $246 million. Excluding currency, sales still up impressive 16%.
Like others, faces big pullback by U.S. shoppers,something weak Aussie dollar won’t change.
Earnings before interest, taxes, deprecia-tion, amortization down 15% (29% excluding currency) to $26 million for six months through December. Investment in company stores part of decline, so too were sales of discounted clothes.
Watching inventory, cutting costs to shore up profits.
Americas unit 47% of parent’s $1 billion in yearly sales. Billabong is second-largest seller of clothes inspired by surfing, skate-boarding after Quiksilver.
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 re-vive company, luring designers, other staff. Oversees more than 500 workers in Irvine.
Former Gotcha exec, South African pro surfer. Been in the surf industry since 1973.
Made several acquisitions. In August, bought Oregon accessory maker DaKine. Acquired San Diego skateboard maker Sector 9 in July. Bought Hawaiian wetsuit maker Xcel International in 2007; Nixon watches in 2005; Element skateboard clothing company, sunglasses maker Von Zipper in 2001.
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. Runs nearly 100 stores in U.S., Canada, South America.
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 Africa surfing champion in 1976.
Shifted to business after years on pro surfing tour. Co-owner of surfboard maker with three surf stores in Durban, 1974 to 1981. Became chief executive of Gotcha South Africa. Moved to U.S. in 1992 to become executive VP of Gotcha.
Senior advisory board member, Surf Indus-try Manufacturers Association. Supports charities Surf Aid International, Surfrider Foundation.
Likes to surf, snowboard, photograph wildlife in South Africa, spend time with family: wife, Debbie, son, daughter.
,
Michael Lyster
Pierre Andr & #233; Senizergues
Founder, chief executive
Sole Technology Inc.
Born in Antony, France, May 22, 1963
Lives in Newport Beach (Balboa Peninsula)
Blends two passions,skateboarding, environment,at shoe, clothing maker.
Runs big maker of shoes, clothes inspired by skateboarding. In-fuses company with passion for environment. Installed solar panels, native plants, other eco touches at headquarters, uses en-vironmentally safe ma-terials in shoes, clothes. Company’s 350,000-square-foot Fontana warehouse runs on wind, solar power.
Backed 2008 environmental 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.
Like others, dealing with retail downturn. Recently laid off undisclosed number of workers. Company said to be faring better than other apparel makers. Senizergues reported to have invested wisely, planned for long term.
Employs more than 400 with offices in Lake Forest, New York, Switzerland, Netherlands, China, Britain, Spain.
Grew up in Paris suburb L’Ha & #729;-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.
Humble early days. Lived in van, relied on skate contest money. Moved into two-bedroom apartment with 15 other guys. 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 Troph & #233;e 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. Attracts about 60,000 visitors a year. City set to expand park by 13,000 square feet.
In November, ranked No. 95 on trade publication Footwear News’ Power 100 listing of in-dustry executives, topped by Nike’s Phil Knight.
Enjoys skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, designing, playing electric guitars. Advocate of raw, organic food. Single. No children.
,
Michael Lyster
HONORABLE MENTION
BOB HURLEY, ROGER WYETT
Chairman; chief executive
Nike Inc.’s Hurley International LLC
Steve Murray
President, VF Corp.’s Vans Inc., Reef Inc.
EDMOND THOMAS
Chief executive, president
Wet Seal Inc.
Jerry Turner, Tom O’Riordan
Chairman; chief executive,
American Sporting Goods Corp.
RICHARD “WOOLY” WOOLCOTT
Chairman, chief executive
Volcom Inc.
