Pierre Agnes, Quiksilver: Pierre Agnes, who worked for Quiksilver for 30 years, became CEO in May 2015 and helped steer the surf company through bankruptcy proceedings. His last role was CEO of Boardriders Inc., then the parent of Quiksilver, Roxy and DC Shoes. In early February French authorities called off a two-day search and rescue operation for Agnes after his boat was found empty, washed up on a beach in south-west France.
Bob Beattie, U.S. Ski Team: Bob Beattie was the founding coach of the U.S. Ski Team and one of the originators of the Alpine Ski World Cup. Known often as ‘Beats’ or simply “Coach,” Beattie later in life became well-known as a commentator for ABC Sports and ESPN, working for ABC at four Olympic Winter Games.
Sandy Bodecker, Nike: Sandy Bodecker joined Nike in 1982 as a footwear wear-test coordinator and eventually went on to lead Nike’s first Global Football business, then to start its Action Sports business and serve as its first head of global design. He presided over Nike Skateboarding since 2002. Bodecker was named VP of Special Projects in 2012 and most recently was best known for spearheading Breaking2, the moonshot project dedicated to breaking the sub-two-hour marathon.
Mike Cruikshank, Granite Gear: In 1991, Mike Cruikshank took a chance and invested his money and talents as a third partner at Granite Gear. While there, he mentored co-founders Jeff Knight and Dan Cruikshank and the Granite Gear team and helped take take the company to the next level.
Jason Hairston, founder SITKA and KUIU: In 2005, Jason Hairston founded the hunting gear company SITKA, which was sold to Gore-Tex in 2009. In 2010, he founded the KUIU hunting apparel brand. A former NFL player, Hairston took his life after struggling with worsening symptoms associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Seth Hamot, Spy: Seth Hamot served as CEO from 2015 until late 2017. He was the architect of Spy’s 2016 fiscal restructuring, which paved the way for the company to achieve several operational and financial milestones in recent years. Hamot had most recently been chairman of Spy’s board of directors.
Del Hayes, Nike: One of Nike’s first employees, Del Hayes met Phil Knight, Nike’s co-founder and board chairman, when both worked as CPAs for Price Waterhouse in Portland and was at one time his boss. Hayes later joined Nike in its earliest stages, eventually becoming one of its board members.
Ann Krcik, The North Face: Ann Krcik spent more than 12 years at The North Face, overseeing global brand communications and outdoor exploration, working to protect public lands and enable exploration for everyone. She made The North Face Explore Fund into what it is today, an industry-leading program that removes barriers to getting outside and helps restore the environment. Krcik was also a board member of the Conservation Alliance, chairperson of the Outdoor Industry Association Recreational Advisory Council and co-founder of the Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition (now Camber Outdoors).
James Laux, Laux Sporting Goods: James Laux became president of Laux Sporting Goods in Western New York in 1959 after his father, Alphonse, who founded the business, died. His late brother, Richard, became vice president, at the time and they grew the chain to six stores at one point.
Warren Miller, Warren Miller Entertainment: Miller was the founder of Warren Miller Entertainment and produced, directed and narrated his films until 1988. His credits included over 750 sports films, several books and hundreds of published non-fiction stories