Quiksilver, Inc. appointed James G. Ellis to the Quiksilver Board of Directors effective February 13, 2009. Ellis is the Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He began his professional career within the Carter Hawley Hale Stores organization, over a number of years rising to the position of vice president, merchandising, for the Broadway Department Store chain.

Later in his career, Ellis became president and chief executive officer of American Porsche Design and he has been involved in a number of other entrepreneurial ventures. These opportunities included leadership roles in several apparel manufacturers and action-sports related companies. In 1997, Ellis joined the faculty of the University of Southern California as a Professor in the Department of Marketing. More recently, Ellis was Vice Provost, Globalization, responsible for building and enhancing the USC brand internationally. Ellis holds a BBA degree from the University of New Mexico and earned an MBA degree from the Harvard Business School.

Robert B. McKnight, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Quiksilver, Inc., commented, “We are very pleased to welcome Jim to our Board of Directors and we look forward to the many ways he’ll contribute to the future success of Quiksilver. Jim is a well-rounded businessman who brings with him valuable experience in merchandising, marketing and brand building and he is exceptionally well-connected in the business community. Jim also has a record of being a solid business leader, having run several companies himself. And Jim’s appointment to our Board continues a wonderful relationship that we enjoy with USC and its highly acclaimed Marshall School of Business in which student interns gain valuable exposure to the business world.”