Perhaps the most notable executive move last week involved the news that Angel Martinez, who has been CEO of Keen Footwear since the brand launched in 2003, will be vacating his position at Keen for the CEO position at Deckers, Inc.

While Martinez was not involved in the day-to-day operation of the company, his eye for product will surely be missed. The move is apparently as much a personal move as it is a professional one for Martinez. Being close to home was a priority when he left Reebok and was also seen as a reason why he could only dedicate about 25% of his time to Keen. With Deckers, Angel is now right next door to home, a move that will suit both he and Deckers well.

From an operating perspective, Keen appears to be in goods hands with its newly-minted president, Jim Van Dine, the other key figure credited for Keen’s rapid rise.


>>> One other stabilizing force here is the presence of Keen’s behind-the-scenes majority owner that happens to have a golden touch of his own…