TROY BROWN
CEO, 5.11 TACTICAL
WHY: Current CEO of tactical apparel company 5.11 Inc. based in Costa Mesa; previously North America president for Zumiez Inc. (Nasdaq: ZUMZ), which operates 756 stores selling action sports apparel.
IN THE NEWS: In January 2024, Brown took over as CEO of retailer that recorded more than $500M in sales in 2023 and aims to quadruple store count to 400. Said he is looking to add new types of customers.
NOTABLE: Retail career of over 30 years; Brown was praised for his “operational excellence” by 5.11 owner Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI). CEO said he understands the importance of 5.11’s long-lasting clothes and gear because of his sons who have served as a policeman, a prison guard, a firefighter in training and in the Air Force.
QUOTABLE: “That’s why I took the call so quickly, because I know this is a passion-based brand. What we need to really focus on is a growth mindset and the set of activities that’s going to allow us to scale its passion.”
