Sunderland, Vt. — Perk Perkins, CEO of The Orvis Company Inc., has named the outdoor retailer’s new president. William R. McLaughlin will succeed Raymond G. McCready, who will retire later this year. A former PepsiCo executive and CEO of Select Comfort Corporation, McLaughlin will assume the post on July 27, 2015.
“Bill is a proven leader with a passion for brand-building and customer-centric retail experiences,” Perkins says. “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, McLaughlin managed several of its international businesses and rose to become president of Frito Lay Europe, Middle East & Africa. From 2000 to 2012, he was president and CEO of the specialty retailer, Select Comfort Corporation, which he grew from $250 million to $800 million in sales. He led the development of the Sleep Number brand, an innovative standout in a highly competitive product category. While he built Sleep Number into a true multi-channel business, most of the company’s sales were made in their 400+ retail stores. His retailing credentials were attractive to Orvis, which has grown its brick-and-mortar base to more than 70 stores in the U.S., and 20 more in the UK.
The Orvis Company, founded in 1856, is based in Manchester, Vt. Today, Orvis operates more than 90 retail stores in the U.S and the U.K.; and more than 400 independent dealers worldwide. For more information, visit www.orvis.com.
SOURCE: The Orvis Company, Inc.