Keen appointed Casey Sheahan, an industry veteran and former CEO of Patagonia, as its next president.
Sheahan succeeds outgoing president Steve Meineke, who will retire in mid-November and remain an active Keen Advisory Council member.
As Keen president, Sheahan will “provide leadership across the global organization while breaking new ground to further position the brand at the forefront of the global outdoor and lifestyle market while bringing Keen’s mission and products to more fans worldwide,” officials said. “With a career spanning more than 35 years in the outdoor, athletic, and publishing industries, Sheahan brings a successful track record in building world-renowned brands with a passion for sustainability and activism. Sheahan represents Keen’s strong commitment to building a trusted and authentic brand as a veteran leader capable of transforming the industry.”
“We are thrilled to bring on such an experienced and respected leader to help meet the demands of our growing business and to perpetuate our values,” said Meineke, who led Keen over the past three years.
A veteran leader in the outdoor industry, Sheahan began his career as the editor and publisher of Powder Magazine, which evolved into leadership roles at Nike as category manager of ACG, VP of marketing at Merrell and as president of Kelty. Most recently, Sheahan served as president and CEO of Patagonia, where he led the company through its most successful phase in its history, tripling the business and significantly increasing the brand’s support for environmental and sustainability causes.
Since retiring from Patagonia in 2014, Sheahan has been serving on several advisory boards across the outdoor industry, including Keen, affording him a real-time perspective into the company, strategic initiatives, organization, and opportunities ahead, officials said.
“There is no other leader more qualified to take over the helm at Keen. I am confident that Casey will continue to build upon Keen’s momentum and do tremendous things for the brand and the team,” Meineke said.
“I’m honored to be joining Keen at such an opportune and pivotal time in an ever evolving industry. I look forward to engaging more fans through incredible product and values-based initiatives in the years to come,” Sheahan said. Keen is the only brand I considered coming out of my post-Patagonia fly-fishing sabbatical for. It’s an incredible opportunity to join a family-based company that is authentically disrupting the status quo, leading through its guiding principles and actions. I’m energized to relocate to the Pacific Northwest and join a talented team to help the brand realize its full potential in the global marketplace.”
Sheahan is Keen’s fifth high-profile hire in the last year. In the past 12 months, the company welcomed John Eberle as GM of outdoor, lifestyle and kids, Tyler LaMotte as VP, global brand marketing, Christy Saito as VP, global product merchandising, outdoor and lifestyle, and Rob Langstaff as VP, international.
Sheahan will be based in Portland, OR at Keen’s global headquarters. He will officially join the Keen team on November 14, 2016.
