COLIN BADEN
Chief executive
Oakley Inc., Foothill Ranch
Born in Concord, Mass.
Age: 50
Lives in Irvine
WHY: Heading up OC’s largest apparel company during what Italy-based parent Luxottica Group SPA calls “a particularly important year for Oakley.” Company set to see double-digit revenue gains this year.
HOW: Kept Oakley on top by merging fashion with technology, getting customers to pay top dollar for high-performance sunglasses, prescription frames, goggles and 3D glasses. Gets top athletes to wear Oakley gear, helps sell product. Joined the company in 1996 as design director, appointed president in 1999. Named chief executive 10 years later.
RECENT: Company gearing up for the Olympics, where more than 600 athletes will be wearing Oakley eyewear.
COMMUNITY: Committed to organizations that help build “strong communities and making America a safe place for the next generation.” Involved in educational and community programs in Orange County; board president for veterans service organization Infinite Hero Foundation.
INTERESTS: Family travel. Any activity on the ocean. Large-caliber weapons.
PERSONAL: Advised Oakley founder Jim Jannard on the design of his Washington state home—a project never completed—before becoming a consultant to Oakley in 1993.
EDUCATION: Undergrad degree from University of Washington. Graduate degree from University of Arizona.
FAMILY: Wife Laura, two sons.
—Kari Hamanaka
ROBERT B. MCKNIGHT JR.
Chairman, chief executive, president
Quiksilver Inc., Huntington Beach
Born in Pasadena
Age: 58
Lives in Laguna Beach (Emerald Bay)
WHY: Long-standing major force in action sports apparel industry. Leads coun-ty’s largest maker of surf-, skate- and snow-inspired clothing and accessories.
HOW: Started Quik-silver making swim trunks in 1976 with Aussie surfer Jeff Hakman, moved operations to Orange County same year. Took company public in 1986. Forged new ground with surfwear geared to females with launch of Roxy in 1989. Followed up next year with first concept retail store, Quiksilver Board-riders Club, in Waikiki in Hawaii. Company continues to expand through retail expansion, portfolio of diverse brands.
RECENT: Back on offense after several years getting over acquisition, eventual fire sale of Skis Rossignol SA in France. Now focused on growing Quiksilver over next five years. Focusing on multiple initiatives, including emerging markets, retail, mountain division for cold weather markets, female shoppers and e-commerce. DC Shoes brand growth big key to company’s overall growth with skate brand expected to double in size over next five years to $1 billion.
INTERESTS: Surfing, snowboarding, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, diving.
PERSONAL: Inducted into Huntington Beach Surfers’ Hall of Fame in 2005. Trustee of Otis College of Art and Design.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree from USC in business.
FAMILY: Wife Annette, three children.
—Kari Hamanaka
Glenn P. McMahon
Chief executive
St. John Knits International Inc., Irvine
Born in Philadelphia
Age: 53
Lives in Newport Beach
WHY: OC’s high-end apparel powerhouse with loyal following of politicians, professionals, socialites.
HOW: Joined St. John in 2007 after serving as president of Dolce & Gabbana USA. Has also worked at Donna Karan International Inc., Giorgio Armani Le Collezioni USA and Ellen Tracy Inc.
RECENT: Company celebrating 50th an-niversary this year. Focused on international growth, company-owned retail and continuing to diversify product offerings, including expansion outside of traditional knitwear. Completed renovation of flagship store in Manhattan last fall. Launched ad campaign late last year featuring actress Kate Winslet as new face of St. John.
COMMUNITY: Supports God’s Love We Deliver charity, providing food to people with special needs.
INTERESTS: Outdoors, art, architecture.
EDUCATION: Graduate of American University in Washington, D.C.
—Kari Hamanaka
PAUL R. NAUDé
President, Americas
Billabong USA, Irvine
Executive director, Billabong International
Ltd., Australia
Born in Durban, South Africa
Age: 56
Lives in Laguna Beach
WHY: Surf industry veteran, heads up one of largest action sports apparel companies.
HOW: Started fixing surfboards in the 1970s. Co-owned surfboard maker with three surf stores in Durban from 1974 to 1981. Moved to U.S. in 1992 as executive vice president for Gotcha label, following stint as Gotcha South Africa chief executive. Established Billabong USA in 1998. Has since helped grow the business through key retail buys and acquisition of other brands, diversifying portfolio beyond surf.
RECENT: Australian parent Billabong In-ternational Ltd. re-cently announced close of deal to establish joint venture for En-cinitas-based watch and accessories brand Nixon. Billabong and New York private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners will own about 48.5% of the company with the remainder going to Nixon management.
COMMUNITY: Senior advisory board member of Aliso Viejo-based Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. President of SIMA Environmental Fund board of directors. Recently founded Rhino Alive Rhino Conservation Foundation.
INTERESTS: Surfing, snowboarding, photography, time with family.
PERSONAL: South Africa surfing champion in 1976.
EDUCATION: High school graduate.
FAMILY: Wife Debbie, son, daughter.
—Kari Hamanaka
RICHARD R. WOOLCOTT
Cofounder, chief executive
Volcom Inc., Costa Mesa
Born in New Jersey
Age: 46
Lives in Corona del Mar
WHY: Heads one of OC’s hippest action sports labels. Last of local action sports labels to go public, envy of many industry startups.
HOW: Started Volcom in 1991 with friend Tucker Hall, worked out of their bedrooms. Took company public in $89 million IPO in 2005. Sold company for $608 million to Paris-based luxury la-bel PPR SA last year. Has managed to main-tain cache and authenticity of Volcom’s Youth Against Estab-lishment brand motto throughout company’s growth.
RECENT: Brand helped lift parent PPR’s sport and lifestyle division after disappointing sales from sister brand Puma.
COMMUNITY: Company involved in a number of causes and fundraisers through its Give Back Series. Also participates in international organization 1% for the Planet. Locally, supports Newport Harbor High School surf team.
INTERESTS: Surfing, snowboarding
PERSONAL: Nickname “Wooly.” Was Quiksilver-sponsored pro surfer in 1980s. Worked in marketing, promotions at Quiksilver from 1989 to 1991. Won Achiever of the Year award from Aliso Viejo-based Surf Industry Manufacturers Association in 2003. Inducted into National Scholastic Surfing Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010 by Chapman University.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in business from Pepperdine University.
FAMILY: Married.
—Kari Hamanaka
OTHER MEMBERS
TOBY BOST
Chairman, chief executive
Irvine-based La Jolla Group Inc., maker of O’Neill, Rusty, other brands
ROBERT “BOB” HURLEY
Founder, chairman of Costa Mesa-based Hurley International LLC, a unit of Nike Inc.
PIERRE-ANDRÉ SENIZERGUES
Founder, chief executive
Lake Forest-based shoe, clothing maker Sole Technology Inc.
