Johnnie-O, a prominent U.S. men’s apparel brand, has named John Collins as its new Chief Executive Officer and board member. Collins takes the reins from Dave Gatto, who has served as the CEO and board director since January 2015 and will retire later this year.
With over two decades of experience at Patagonia in various leadership roles, both in domestic and international sales, Collins brings a wealth of expertise to his new role as CEO. His mission is to accelerate the growth of Johnnie-O, headquartered in Santa Monica, by increasing brand investment and expanding across multiple channels, including wholesale and branded retail development. Collins will also focus on leveraging digital and direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies to sustain brand growth and explore new product categories to better serve Johnnie-O’s dedicated customers.
Dave Gatto, outgoing CEO, expressed his confidence in this transition, saying, «We sought a successor who values authenticity and integrity. JC is that person. With his proven leadership and vision, I am confident he will lead Johnnie-O to even greater heights.»
Founded in 2005 by John O’Donnell, Johnnie-O has consistently recorded impressive growth, with revenue increasing by over 20% in 16 of the 17 years since its inception.
John Collins, the incoming CEO, recognizes the significance of this moment, stating, «This marks an important and exciting phase in the company’s growth. As a Johnnie-O customer, I have experienced our exceptional products and a strong community. I am grateful for the trust placed in me by Dave Gatto, John O’Donnell, and the entire Johnnie-O team to lead the brand into its next chapter.
