Oliver Peoples, wholly owned subsidiary of Oakley, Inc., appointed David Schulte as chief executive officer and president. Schulte brings more than 15 years of strategic operational, financial, marketing and retail experience to his new role and will report directly to Larry Leight, founder of Oliver Peoples, who will continue to serve as the company’s chairman and creative director.
“I am very enthusiastic about working with David and believe his skills and experience are a perfect fit for where we see the company going in the future,” said Larry Leight, founder and chairman, Oliver Peoples, Inc. “We have consistently strived to go outside the box with our view of the industry and given the current business climate, where luxury, fashion and entertainment converge, it was imperative to find a leader equipped with the experience and vigor to execute on our diverse opportunities.”
“Our acquisition by Oakley earlier in the year continues to strengthen our operational capabilities and will enhance our brand’s ability to grow,” concluded Leight. “As we enter into our next chapter, we believe David is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and drive the strategic initiatives necessary for a solid future.”
“Oliver Peoples is an incredibly prestigious company and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build on the successful foundation that Larry and the Oliver Peoples team have established,” said David Schulte, chief executive officer and president, Oliver Peoples, Inc. “The incredible brand strength and reputation, along with Oakley’s infrastructure, empower us to bring Oliver Peoples into the next stage of its evolution. I look forward to playing an integral role in this process.”
Prior to Oliver Peoples, Mr. Schulte founded and served as managing partner of The DCS Group, LLC, a boutique fashion and entertainment private equity based firm, which participated in principal investment transactions involving Italian athletic brand Lotto, C.C. Filson and Wellspring Film Studio (now owned by The Weinstein Company through its acquisition of Genius). The DCS Group’s advisory business also included work for such prestigious companies as LVMH, Richemont and Jovovich-Hawk. Mr. Schulte will continue to maintain an interest in the firm, overseeing select principal investments in a board capacity.
Prior to DCS Group, Mr. Schulte was a partner and the president of brands at The Firm, the world’s largest music and talent management company. While there, he founded and oversaw the principal investment division of the company including joint ventures with Virgin Drinks Business, the acquisition and sale of PONY and the major brand activities of top celebrity clients.
