Bill Perez knew that his move to Nike, Inc. would be an exciting ride, but the company’s president and CEO got more than he bargained for last Monday. National media rushed to a scene that had four execs circling Portland, Ore. for six hours as the company’s new Gulfstream 5 jet in which they were flying dumped fuel and conducted maneuvers in an attempt to dislodge a landing gear that had become stuck.

“It's nice to be on the ground,” Perez told reporters shortly after landing at Hillsboro airport. “I wasn't at all worried the whole time.”

The plane had departed Hillsboro, which is close to NKE’s HQ in Beaverton, Ore., at about 6:00 a.m. PST on Monday for a quick roundtrip to Toronto.

Nike Inc. said it was “delighted that its jet landed safely at the Hillsboro, Oregon, airport at approximately 12:10 p.m. PST.” Perez was joined by Charlie Denson, co-president of the Nike brand; Mary Kate Buckley, VP and GM of the Nike Americas region; and assistant to the CEO, Merritt Richardson, along with three crew members.

“Our sincere thanks to everyone for their professionalism in handling today's mechanical malfunction with our aircraft,” said Perez. “The work of everyone – from our flight crew to the people on the ground and at Gulfstream – was excellent. Experiences like this remind us all of how thankful we are for our family, friends, and co-workers.”


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