Orvis Company Inc. selected William McLaughlin, a former PepsiCo executive and CEO of Select Comfort Corporation, as its new president. McLaughlin will assume the post July 27 and will succeed Raymond G. McCready, who is retiring.
“Bill is a proven leader with a passion for brand-building and customer-centric retail experiences,” said CEO Perk Perkins, whose family owns Orvis. “He fits our company culture like a glove. Bill’s leadership style, personal connection to the outdoors, and commitment to innovation and customer service all beautifully align to our company’s purpose, personality and guiding beliefs.”
At Pepsi, he McLaughlin several of their international businesses and rose to become president of Frito Lay Europe, Middle East & Africa. From 2000 to 2012, McLaughlin was president & CEO of the specialty retailer, Select Comfort Corporation, which he grew from $250 million to $800 million in sales.
Orvis has grown its brick-and-mortar base to more than 70 stores in the U.S., and 20 more in the UK. It also operates a fully multi-channel business with 9 catalog titles; a comprehensive website, blog and digital experience; and reaches more than 400 independent dealers worldwide.
Orvis was also attracted to McLaughlin’s personal passion for fly fishing and wing shooting, and his understanding of the sports’ unique role in the success of the Orvis brand.
“I’ve always loved the outdoors and more recently fly-fishing and wing-shooting which makes this a dream position,” said McLaughlin. “The company has benefited from generations of great leadership and I’ll do my best to build upon its mission-driven success.”
