CEO William D. Perez has resigned over differences in leadership between company founder and board of directors chairman Phillip H. Knight, according to Nike.
Perez joined Nike in December 2004 replacing Knight after a long career with Racine, WI-based S.C. Johnson, the maker of Glade air fresheners.
“Succession at any company is challenging, and unfortunately the expectations that Bill and I and others had when he joined the company a year ago didn’t play out as we had hoped,” Knight said in a statement.
“Nike is an incredible organization with tremendous growth opportunities,” Perez said in a statement. “However, Phil and I weren’t entirely aligned on some aspects of how to best lead the company’s long-term growth. It became obvious to me that the long-term interests of this company would be best served by my resignation.”
Nike has replaced Perez with Mark Parker as its new CEO. In addition, Parker, 50, will succeed Perez on the company’s board of directors, Nike said.
Parker, a Nike veteran, brings 27 years of experience to the job. During his tenure, Parker has been involved in many of Nike’s product innovations and integrated brand campaigns. He has also been one of the top executives that helped lead Nike’s long-term strategic planning.
“Mark has a proven track record in driving creativity, innovation and growth,” Knight said. “He’s an experience talented executive, and has played an instrumental role in building our business and making the Nike brand as strong as it is today.”
Charlie Denson, Nike’s co-president, will now lead the Nike brand as president, the company said.
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