Richard Baker (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Richard "Dick" Baker was an American
businessman and surf
apparel executive for Ocean Pacific
. Baker helped to shape the surf apparel industry as president and chief executive of Ocean Pacific, also known as OP.
and earned his bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge
.
at a men's specialty store to pay for school. He later became a buyer for the now defunct Bullock's
department store
.
Baker became head of the Marithé François Girbaud
's U.S. division, based in New York City
, in 1980. He gradually moved on to head other clothing brands. In 1983, Baker became the president and chief executive of Izod Ltd
.'s menswear
division. He became president of president of Esprit Sport in 1986 before later moving on to become the head of Tommy Hilfiger
's women's clothing division.
, acquired the Ocean Pacific
heritage surf brand
. Ocean Pacific was in financial trouble at the time as consumer preferences had changed over the years.
Baker became the chief executive of Ocean Pacific following the 1998 acquisition. He was able to successfully revive the flagging label. Under his helm, Baker led Ocean Pacific through two sales. The first was to Warnaco Group
in 2004, which acquired Ocean Pacific for $40 million dollars. The second sale, in 2006, was to Iconix Brands, a surf wear maker, for an estimated $54 million.
Baker remained the president of Ocean Pacific until he stepped down in 2006, and continued as a consultant
with the company until 2007.
, in 2000 while he was the chief executive of Ocean Pacific. He served as the head of SIMA for nine years before becoming the chairman emeritus
of the organization. The Los Angeles Times
noted that as head of SIMA, Baker directed the business of "selling surf
to the suits" in the larger business community. He also served as a mentor to the CEOs and heads of other surf oriented apparel brands. Fernando Aguerre, the co-founder of Reef clothing company and current chief executive of Liquid Tribe, later called Baker, "part father, part brother and part friend."
In a speech to a surf insutry gathering in San José del Cabo
, Mexico
, in May 2005, Baker told attendees that, "Surf is on the world stage, and this hard-core, laid-back industry has been discovered by the suits. The non- endemic business types see this as an area of growth, and if you see this as a threat, then get a life -- it's a compliment."
Baker also told the surf industry to use their influence to do good works saying in 2006, "Pick your spot and make a difference...Whether you're big or small, give back what you can."
, after a two year battle with cancer. He was 62 years old and was survived by his wife of 19 years, Una Baker; sons, Ryan and Jack; his father, Donald Baker, and his sister, Donna Smith Vigil.
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association announced that its plans to honor Baker with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its 20th annual Waterman's Ball in August 2009.
Richard Woolcott
, the founder and CEO of Volcom
told the LA Times, "Dick was a great friend, mentor
and role model
to many of us in the industry. He understood the magic of action sports and helped us harness it into big-picture thinking and execution. But most of all, he was a wonderful human being with a loving heart and spirit. He was always supportive in what we were doing, lending his advice and positive feedback. He was a blessing to this industry and will be deeply missed."
Fernando Aguerre, founder of Reef, said in reaction to Baker's death, "And I feel like an orphan today."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and surf
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
apparel executive for Ocean Pacific
Ocean Pacific
Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp is a private company based in Irvine, California, USA. It produces primarily surf related apparel, swimwear, footwear and accessories. OP is available exclusively at Wal-Mart.-History:...
. Baker helped to shape the surf apparel industry as president and chief executive of Ocean Pacific, also known as OP.
Early life
Baker was born on September 3, 1946 in Los Angeles. He grew up in the San Fernando ValleySan Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
and earned his bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
.
Career
Baker first entered the apparel industry as a college student. He became a buyerBuyer
When someone gets characterised by their role as buyer of certain assets, the term "buyer" gets new meaning:A "buyer" or merchandiser is a person who purchases finished goods, typically for resale, for a firm, government, or organization...
at a men's specialty store to pay for school. He later became a buyer for the now defunct Bullock's
Bullock's
Bullock's was a department store based in Los Angeles, California. The company operated full-line department stores all across California, with some stores in Arizona and Nevada. Bullock's also operated the more upscale Bullocks Wilshire in parts of Southern California.- History :Bullock's was...
department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
.
Baker became head of the Marithé François Girbaud
Marithé François Girbaud
Marithé François Girbaud is an international clothing company based in France. It was founded in 1964 by François and Marithé Girbaud...
's U.S. division, based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, in 1980. He gradually moved on to head other clothing brands. In 1983, Baker became the president and chief executive of Izod Ltd
Izod
Izod is a clothing company that produces dressy-casual clothing and sportswear for men and women, also including fragrances, and accessories. Similar to brands such as Gant U.S.A., Lacoste, and Polo Ralph Lauren, it is part of the Phillips-Van Heusen Company, headquartered at 200 Madison Ave., New...
.'s menswear
Fashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
division. He became president of president of Esprit Sport in 1986 before later moving on to become the head of Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger
Thomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfiger is an American fashion designer and founder of the premium lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger.-Early life:...
's women's clothing division.
Ocean Pacific
In 1998, Baker and his partners at the Doyle & Boissiere investment group, which is based in Burlingame, CaliforniaBurlingame, California
Burlingame is a city in San Mateo County, California. It is located on the San Francisco Peninsula and has a significant shoreline on San Francisco Bay. The city is named after diplomat Anson Burlingame. It is renowned for its many surviving examples of Victorian architecture, its affluence, and...
, acquired the Ocean Pacific
Ocean Pacific
Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp is a private company based in Irvine, California, USA. It produces primarily surf related apparel, swimwear, footwear and accessories. OP is available exclusively at Wal-Mart.-History:...
heritage surf brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
. Ocean Pacific was in financial trouble at the time as consumer preferences had changed over the years.
Baker became the chief executive of Ocean Pacific following the 1998 acquisition. He was able to successfully revive the flagging label. Under his helm, Baker led Ocean Pacific through two sales. The first was to Warnaco Group
Warnaco Group
The Warnaco Group, Inc. is an American textile/apparel corporation which designs, sources, markets, licenses, and distributes a wide range of intimate apparel, sportswear, and swimwear worldwide. Its products are sold under several brand names including Calvin Klein, Speedo, Chaps, Warner's, and...
in 2004, which acquired Ocean Pacific for $40 million dollars. The second sale, in 2006, was to Iconix Brands, a surf wear maker, for an estimated $54 million.
Baker remained the president of Ocean Pacific until he stepped down in 2006, and continued as a consultant
Consultant
A consultant is a professional who provides professional or expert advice in a particular area such as management, accountancy, the environment, entertainment, technology, law , human resources, marketing, emergency management, food production, medicine, finance, life management, economics, public...
with the company until 2007.
Surf Industry Manufacturers Association
Baker joined the board of directors of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA), based in Aliso Viejo, CaliforniaAliso Viejo, California
Aliso Viejo is a city in Orange County, California. It had a population of 47,823 as of the 2010 census, up from 40,166 as of the 2000 census. It became Orange County's 34th city on July 1, 2001, the only city in the county to incorporate since 2000...
, in 2000 while he was the chief executive of Ocean Pacific. He served as the head of SIMA for nine years before becoming the chairman emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
of the organization. The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
noted that as head of SIMA, Baker directed the business of "selling surf
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
to the suits" in the larger business community. He also served as a mentor to the CEOs and heads of other surf oriented apparel brands. Fernando Aguerre, the co-founder of Reef clothing company and current chief executive of Liquid Tribe, later called Baker, "part father, part brother and part friend."
In a speech to a surf insutry gathering in San José del Cabo
San José del Cabo
The city of San José del Cabo is located in Baja California Sur Mexico and is the seat of the municipality of Los Cabos at the south end of the Baja California peninsula. In the 2010 census it had a population of 69,788. Together with neighboring Cabo San Lucas it forms a major tourist destination...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, in May 2005, Baker told attendees that, "Surf is on the world stage, and this hard-core, laid-back industry has been discovered by the suits. The non- endemic business types see this as an area of growth, and if you see this as a threat, then get a life -- it's a compliment."
Baker also told the surf industry to use their influence to do good works saying in 2006, "Pick your spot and make a difference...Whether you're big or small, give back what you can."
Death
Ricard Baker died on April 14, 2009, at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CaliforniaMission Viejo, California
Mission Viejo is a city located in southern Orange County, California, U.S. in the Saddleback Valley. Mission Viejo is considered one of the largest master-planned communities ever built under a single project in the United States, and is rivaled only by Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in its size...
, after a two year battle with cancer. He was 62 years old and was survived by his wife of 19 years, Una Baker; sons, Ryan and Jack; his father, Donald Baker, and his sister, Donna Smith Vigil.
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association announced that its plans to honor Baker with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its 20th annual Waterman's Ball in August 2009.
Richard Woolcott
Richard Woolcott
Richard Arthur Woolcott, AC is a retired Australian diplomat, author and commentator.Woolcott was educated at Geelong Grammar School and the University of Melbourne, and became a member of the Australian Diplomatic Service. He held positions as Australia's ambassador to Indonesia and The...
, the founder and CEO of Volcom
Volcom
Volcom, Inc. is a designer, marketer and distributor of young men's and young women's clothing, footwear, accessories and related products sold under the Volcom brand name. Volcom is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, United States...
told the LA Times, "Dick was a great friend, mentor
Mentor
In Greek mythology, Mentor was the son of Alcimus or Anchialus. In his old age Mentor was a friend of Odysseus who placed Mentor and Odysseus' foster-brother Eumaeus in charge of his son Telemachus, and of Odysseus' palace, when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.When Athena visited Telemachus she...
and role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...
to many of us in the industry. He understood the magic of action sports and helped us harness it into big-picture thinking and execution. But most of all, he was a wonderful human being with a loving heart and spirit. He was always supportive in what we were doing, lending his advice and positive feedback. He was a blessing to this industry and will be deeply missed."
Fernando Aguerre, founder of Reef, said in reaction to Baker's death, "And I feel like an orphan today."