Nike Golf named Debbie Hall-Friede as Product Director for Custom Clubs, where she will be charged with creation, commercialization and evolution of the product portion of Nike Golfs Custom Club business. Hall-Friede will work closely with Nike Golfs Director of Product Creation/Clubs, Tom Stites and the Ft. Worth Product Development Team, and will be responsible for Custom Club Product Initiatives. When she joined Nike Golf in 2001, Hall-Friede was an integral part of the sports marketing team for three years until she became the Club Business Manager in 2004.
“Debbies experience at Nike Golf is invaluable,” said category business director for clubs and balls, Stan Grissinger. “Having been a great player on the LPGA Tour, serving on Nike Golfs sports marketing team and then in the product engine, I am confident that she will take our Custom Club business to new heights.”
In addition, the company appointed Bob Lukasiewicz to Product Director for Golf Clubs, effective immediately. Lukasiewicz has served as Nike Golfs Product Line Manager for Clubs for over four years where his responsibilities have included project briefing and teaming with Nike Golfs Ft. Worth team in overseeing the product development of more than 20 projects, including the award-winning Nike Slingshot and Slingshot OSS irons. In his new role, Lukasiewicz will direct the Global product line plan for clubs and oversee the entire product process from concept to finish.
“Bobs sense of team and collaborative skills make him a great compliment to the Ft. Worth Product Development Team, and will allow us to continue to bring game-changing equipment to the marketplace,” said Grissinger. “Having spent 12 years in the golf industry, his depth of experience provides him with the vision to take our products to the next level.”
On the apparel side of things, Nike Golf appointed Doug Reed to Global Director of Nike Golf Apparel. Reed, a Nike veteran for 17 years, replaces David Hagler, who has served in this role since 1998 and has been integral in leading Nike Golf Apparel to become the number one golf apparel company in the world as well as the recipient of numerous external industry awards. Hagler has been appointed to General Manager of Global Apparel Sports Culture for Nike, Inc., where he will be charged with leading the product marketing efforts globally for lifestyle apparel inspired by sport.
“On behalf of the whole team, Id like to thank David for the great job he did in building our apparel business over the last seven years. He’s leaving Nike Golf apparel in a leadership position, and it’s hard to ask for more than that,” said Bob Wood, president of Nike Golf.
Like Hagler, Reed is highly regarded in the apparel industry having served 15 years in the apparel business at Nike. He began his career in 1989 working in Nikes USA Advertising department. His foray into the apparel business began in 1991, when he was involved in the start-up of Nike Team Sports from 1993 to 1996. In 1996, he became the Apparel Marketing Director for Asia Pacific and Hong Kong. Reed later was appointed as the General Manager for Nike Kids Apparel followed by his return to Hong Kong, where he served as Asias General Manager for Nikes Sport Performance Apparel business from 2003 to present.
“Doug brings to Nike Golf a wealth of apparel knowledge and leadership experience,” said Wood. “He has an enthusiasm that is contagious, a passion for the game of golf and a love for the apparel industry. I am confident that he will continue to drive long-term growth for our Golf Apparel business around the world.”
In his new role, Reed will report to Wood and will be responsible for providing global leadership and strategic direction for mens, womens and youth golf apparel and headwear.
