Colin Baden
Chief executive
Oakley Inc.
Born in Concord, Mass.
Age 48
Lives in Irvine
Alpha dog for wolf pack of mad scientists at one of county’s original action sports brands.
Oakley sells sunglasses, goggles, prescription frames, apparel, shoes, accessories. Part of Italy’s Luxottica Group after $2.1 billion buyout in 2007.
Company known for pushing boundaries, blending art, science, fashion. What Baden calls “obliterating conventional ideas about possibility.”
Oakley-owned patents now number 600 plus.
Company has yearly sales of more than $1 billion. Bright spot for Luxottica.
Has continued push into shoes, women’s products.
Recent collaborations include teaming with auto designer Chip Foose on Three Palms shoe, enlisting snowboard artist Caia Koopman for design of Forsake women’s sunglasses.
Sold limited edition 3-D glasses as part of Disney’s “Tron: Legacy” release.
Started as Oakley consultant in 1993. Officially joined in 1996. Appointed president in 1999, named chief executive in 2009.
Replaced Scott Olivet, former OC 50er who joined Oakley founder Jim Jannard’s Red Digital Cinema Camera (see Industry & Services section).
Former architect at Lewis Architecture of Seattle. Came to Oakley after advising Jannard on design of a home in Washington state that never was completed.
Had hand in designing Oakley fortress headquarters in Foothill Ranch. Believed to be only headquarters in Southern California with operational Russian tank.
Commutes to work in racecar—no A/C, equipped with fire control system.
Born in Massachusetts. Grew up on Orcas Island, Wash. Says artistic sensibilities come from dad, Mowry—sculptor, dean of School of Fine Arts in Victoria, British Columbia.
Runs Oakley with charismatic, no-nonsense attitude characterized as “seasoned asylum warden.”
Wife, two boys.
—Kari Hamanaka
Gary H. Schoenfeld
Chief executive, president
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc.
Born in Seattle
Age 48
Lives in Los Angeles
Wrestling with turnaround of largest mall retailer of clothes inspired by surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding.
Runs nearly 900 PacSun stores aimed at teens, young people. Wrapped up first full year on job last year.
Company, with $1 billion in annual sales, struggled along with other retailers during downturn as fickle shoppers turned toward cheaper, trendier clothes from fast fashion retailers.
Sought to bring core brands such as Billabong, Hurley, Volcom, O’Neill, others to forefront with special store displays.
Went on executive hiring spree last year.
Added senior vice president of retail to oversee PacSun stores. Former Urban Outfitters executive joined as senior vice president, general merchandise manager of clothes for teen girls.
Same-store sales down 7% for three months through January. Persistent losses, turnaround progress elusive.
Schoenfeld remains optimistic sales will rebound in key spring, summer months.
Clothing business runs in family. Grandfather started necktie business. Father, Walter Schoenfeld, started Britannia Sportswear, which had $300 million in annual sales when Levi’s bought it in early 1980s.
Decade later, dad left retirement to lead turnaround at Vans before handing job to son in 1996. Younger Schoenfeld launched own revival at Vans before company bought by North Carolina’s VF in 2004.
From 2006 to 2008, Schoenfeld was vice chairman, president, co-chief executive of product licensing, marketing company Global Brands Group in Los Angeles.
UCLA grad. Stanford business degree.
Likes skiing, occasionally surfs. Married, three children.
—Kari Hamanaka
Robert B. McKnight Jr.
Chairman, chief executive, president
Quiksilver Inc.
Born in Pasadena
Age 57
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
Runs top dog of action sports apparel industry.
Quiksilver largest maker of clothes inspired by surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding.
Company on mend after shoring up finances in wake of near death experience in 2009.
Struggled under heavy debt load, global recession, sluggish sales. Sale of whole company, DC shoes unit weighed during darkest hour.
Culprit: 2005’s $560 million buy of French ski maker Rossignol.
Company ended up ditching Rossignol in $50 million fire sale in 2008.
Thrown lifesaver by New York-based Rhone Group in 2009: $150 million, five-year loan, plus warrants to buy Quiksilver shares.
Move allowed Quiksilver to consolidate European debt, rework U.S. credit lines.
In August, did deal with Rhone to trade $140 million in debt for discounted stock. Rhone now owns third of company, holds two board seats.
Debt for stock swap paved way for boost in Quiksilver profits, upgrade in debt rating from Moody’s, lowered cost on $150 million credit line.
Sold $266 million in European bonds in December to pay off additional debt there.
Now going on offensive with Quiksilver, Roxy, DC Shoes brands.
McKnight started Quiksilver making swim trunks in 1976 with Aussie surfer Jeff Hakman. Pair moved to OC that year.
Company went public in 1986. First to push surfwear for females with Roxy brand in 1991. Through the years, bought out global Quiksilver, Roxy licensees.
USC business bachelor’s. Trustee, Otis College of Art and Design.
Loves to surf. Inducted into Huntington Beach Surfers’ Hall of Fame in 2005.
Also likes snowboarding, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, diving.
Wife, Annette. Three children.
—Kari Hamanaka
Susan P. McGalla
Chief Executive
Wet Seal Inc.
Born in East Liverpool, Ohio
Age 46
Lives in Mount Lebanon, Pa., moving to OC
New chief executive running mall clothing retailer. Only woman at helm of major public company here.
Putting imprint on company with early moves. Hired president, chief operating officer, tempered store openings for this year.
Debuted with bang with results for three months through January. Topped expectations, offered upbeat forecast for three months through April.
Company’s dominant chain Wet Seal runs 450 stores for teen girls. Also runs 83-store Arden B. chain for young women. Some $565 million in annual revenue.
Replaced turnaround CEO Ed Thomas in January.
Looking to continue momentum. Focused on measured growth, plans to open several Wet Seal stores this year.
Company struggled during downturn with increased competition from urban, fast-fashion retailers.
In recent years, Wet Seal has closed stores, switched out clothing styles faster, remodeled stores, cut costs.
Last year, company began re-opening previously closed mall stores, experimenting with Blink pop-up shops selling jeans, other denim. Testing stores in neighborhood shopping centers.
McGalla brings 25 years of experience, most recently as American Eagle Outfitters president, chief merchandising officer.
Under McGalla, American Eagle launched aerie and 77 kids brands, expanded to 1,100 stores. Company grew from $1 billion to $3 billion in yearly revenue.
Left American Eagle in early 2009 amid falling stock price, poor results. Said exit had been planned for some time. Served as consultant for retail, financial industries before joining Wet Seal.
Before 14-year tenure with American Eagle, held merchandising, management positions with regional department store chain Joseph Horne.
Says to reach kids you “have to be where they are.” Watches MTV, goes to sporting events, malls as part of market research.
Serves on boards of commercial real estate company HFF, University of Pittsburgh.
Former member of executive committee, board for Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
Still living in Pittsburgh suburb. Plans to move here by summer.
Undergrad degree in business, marketing from Mount Union College.
Husband Stephen, wealth manager.
—Kari Hamanaka
Glenn P. McMahon
Chief executive
St. John Knits International Inc.
Born in Philadelphia
Age 52
Lives in Newport Beach
Steered county’s high-end fashion house through recently ended downturn.
St. John known for luxury knitwear, go-to choice for professionals, politicians, socialites.
Worked to revive St. John brand in past few years, loosening up image to appeal to wider audience.
Challenge: attract new, younger customers while retaining longtime wearers of brand.
New model, musician Karen Elson, became face of St. John in ads last year.
Company pinning hopes on expanded products, expansion in China, Middle East, Russia, other emerging markets.
Last year took over business from Hong Kong licensee, established office there.
Annual sales estimated at $315 million.
In 2006, sold 170,000-square-foot plant near John Wayne Airport to Houston-based developer Hines Interests, California Public Employees Retirement System. Leased back plant.
Lease expires in summer. Plans to consolidate employees into other Irvine facilities.
Company has deep roots here dating back to 1962. Started by Robert, Marie Gray with single knit dress.
Daughter Kelly Gray was longtime face of St. John in ads. Later served as co-president.
Grays sold majority of St. John to Escada in 1990. Bought by private equity firm Vestar Capital in 1999.
Marie Gray on board of directors.
McMahon came to St. John in 2007 after rocky period under predecessor Richard Cohen, who led push to lure younger women that backfired.
Led Americas division of Italy’s Dolce & Gabbana. Also worked at Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani.
Graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. Supporter of charity God’s Love We Deliver, food provider to people with special needs.
Enjoys outdoors. Likes art, architecture.
—Kari Hamanaka
Paul R. Naude
President, North America, Billabong USA
Executive director, Billabong International Ltd.
Born in Durban, South Africa
Age 55
Lives in Laguna Beach
Runs big maker of clothes inspired by surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding. Led big retail expansion in past year.
Heads Billabong USA, North American arm of Australia’s Billabong International.
Sales in Americas region, led by U.S. division, up 38% for six months through December to $408 million.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization in region were $47 million, up 12.5%.
Results reflect $93 million August buy of Canadian retailer West 49.
West 49, based near Toronto, runs 138 mall stores, sells clothes inspired by skateboarding, snowboarding.
Buy was part of shopping spree last year.
In July, bought Costa Mesa-based Rvca Clothing for an estimated $30 million. In May, scooped up Torrance-based Becker Surf & Sport, four-store chain.
In 2009, bought San Clemente online clothes seller swell.com, bought rights to skate brand Plan B. In 2008, bought Oregon accessories maker DaKine, San Diego skateboard maker Sector 9.
Earlier acquisitions: wetsuit maker Xcel International in 2007; Nixon watches in 2005; Element skateboard clothing company, sunglasses maker Von Zipper in 2001.
First foray in retail was 2004 buy of Beach Access chain of stores, now called Beach Works. Bought Hawaiian retailer Honolua Surf Co. in 2004.
Naude has been in surf business since 1973. Started fixing surfboards in 1970s. South Africa surfing champion in 1976.
From 1974 to 1981, co-owned surfboard maker with three surf stores in Durban. Named chief executive of Gotcha South Africa, moved to U.S. in 1992 to be Gotcha executive vice president.
Took over Billabong’s U.S. operations in 1998 after departure of Bob Hurley, who left to start Costa Mesa-based Hurley International.
Helped rebuild Billabong here.
Now oversees about 600 workers locally.
Aliso Viejo Surf Industry Manufacturers Association’s senior advisory board member.
Likes to surf, snowboard, take pictures of South African wildlife, spend time with family.
Wife Debbie. Son, daughter.
—Kari Hamanaka
Richard R. Woolcott
Founder, chairman, chief executive
Volcom Inc.
Born in New Jersey
Age 45
Lives in Corona del Mar
Surfer turned businessman.
Took clothing upstart, turned it into publicly traded company with projected sales of $370 million this year.
Held steady during recession, industry downturn. Fared better than others, remained sought-after brand even as street, urban trends gained favor.
Sells apparel inspired by surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, motocross, art, music, film.
Unveiled five-year plan in early 2010 dubbed 550/50/15. Plan calls for $550 million in yearly revenue, gross profit margin of 50%, operating margin of at least 15% by end of 2014.
Company has “best balance sheet in retail,” according to analyst with New York-based Jefferies & Co.
Last year, bought out Australian licensee in deal industry analysts peg at about $8 million. Planning to take over sales in Spain, other markets.
Debuted new website, online Volcom store in 2010.
Goes by “Wooly.” Caught entrepreneur bug early. As a boy, decorated ice cream containers with magazine clippings, sold them as trash cans.
Started Volcom with friend Tucker Hall in 1991.
Company headquarters originally based out of Woolcott’s bedroom, sales operated out of Tucker’s bedroom.
Volcom went public in 2005, raised $89 million for company, shareholders.
Has No. 3 spot in action sports segment after Huntington Beach’s Quiksilver Inc., Irvine’s Billabong USA.
Has inspired other industry upstarts aiming to duplicate Volcom’s success, spawned phrase “the next Volcom.”
In 1980s, was professional surfer sponsored by Quiksilver. From 1989 to 1991, worked in marketing, promotions at Quiksilver.
Business bachelor’s, Pepperdine University.
Likes surfing, snowboarding.
—Kari Hamanaka
OTHER MEMBERS
Ron, Bobby Abdelfattah, Jamal Abdelmuti
Co-owners, Huntington Beach-based Jack’s Surf & Sport LLC, operator of Jack’s Surfboards shops
Toby Bost
Chairman, chief executive Irvine-based La Jolla Group Inc., maker of O’Neill, Rusty, other brands
Jim Calhoun, Robert “Bob” Hurley
Chief executive, Nike Inc.’s Costa Mesa-based Hurley International LLC; Hurley founder, chairman
Jarrod Dogan, Jeff Caldwell
Chief executive, Cypress-based T-shirt company Hybrid Promotions LLC; Hybrid vice president
Daniel Griesemer, Hezy Shaked
Chief executive Irvine-based action sports retailer Tilly’s Inc.; Tilly’s chairman, chief strategy officer
Aaron Pai
Owner, Huntington Beach-based clothing, surf products retailer Huntington Surf & Sport
Pierre André Senizergues
Founder, chief executive, Lake Forest-based shoe, clothing maker Sole Technology Inc. Irvine-based computer, consumer electronics company Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.
