Press Release:
Three-year company veteran previously served as O’Neill Men’s National Sales Manager
Irvine, CA, May 11, 2011 – O’Neill Clothing (www.oneill.com), the original surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, is happy to announce the promotion of John Hunt as new Vice President of Sales, overseeing the brand’s national retail accounts and extensive sales support teams.
In his new position, Hunt will lead sales efforts for all O’Neill divisions, including Men’s, Junior’s, and Children’s. He will manage the internal sales management team and divisional sales managers, as well as the external sales force. In addition, he will be responsible for sales and strategic planning for the O’Neill brand across all distribution channels.
“This is an exciting new position with the best active lifestyle brand inthe world,” said Hunt. “It has been a great experience to work with the talented O’Neill team these past three years, and I’m ready to take on this new challenge of managing our large sales force around the country.”
Hunt first worked with O’Neill Clothing in 2008, when he came to parent company La Jolla Group (“LJG”) as Senior Department Store Manager, a newlycreated position that oversaw LJG’s department store sales for all of the company’s brands.
In 2009, John’s efforts were focused on O’Neill as the Men’s National Sales Manager for major retail accounts. Most recently, he has been performing the duties of National Sales Manager for major accounts in both the Men’s and Junior’s divisions.
Prior to his roles within LJG, Hunt spent 17 years with Macy’s, most notably as the Divisional Merchandise Manager for Macy’s North in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
During his time with the company, he also served five years as the Men’s Surf Buyer, three years as the Buyer of Men’s Shoes, and two years as the Manager of Planning and Distribution for Macy’s West.
Hunt will report to Steve Ward, O’Neill’s Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, and will continue to be based out of the La Jolla Group offices in Irvine, California.
“John has been such a valuable member of our team,” said Ward. “Moving into the VP of Sales role will be a seamless transition, as he is already familiar with our national teams and where we want to grow as a brand.”
About O’Neill
O’Neill, the original California surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O’Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game.
Pioneering the world’s first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after.
While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack’s initial vision of producing functional and innovative boardriding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O’Neill’s core values – innovation in style and technology – have seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of the action sports lifestyle.
From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world’s first stitchless boardshorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O’Neill’s progressive spirit will always drive the company forward. For more information, please visit www.oneill.com.
