OluKai is founded by Bill Worthington who directs the design of the brand and its products, Matt Till who runs manufacturing and operations and Dan McInerny, who runs the sales and marketing effort.
Worthington was born in Hawaii and raised in California where he graduated from the prestigious Art Center of Design in Pasadena. Worthington spent eight years with Nike as a footwear designer before moving to Fila as creative director from '96 to '98 and on to D.C. in the same role from '98 to 2000. In 2000, Worthington launched Worthing1 Design in San Diego before returning to Portland in 2003. Worthington's clients included Roxy and Converse, among others.
Till, born in California and raised in Oregon, is also a Nike alumnus. Till worked in Asia as a production supervisor in Jakarta and Ho Chi Min City from '91 to '97 and then Quindao, China as technical director overseeing production of several factories. In 2000, Till was hired by The Sak as vice president of manufacturing and moved to Bali, where he lived and worked until 2004, when he returned to Portland to start his own company.
Dan McInerny, the brand's director of sales and marketing, served in senior sales and marketing positions with Quiksilver, among others, before starting Internet Marketing Company, Hub360 in 1999. McInerny is a Southern California native who shares the team's vision of quality product and environmental responsibility.
"OluKai is a premium product that reflects the combination of superior craftsmanship and materials with the ethos of the ocean lifestyle," said Worthington. "Our vision is to bring a brand to market that reflects the feel of the ocean element and our roots in Hawaii. Our mark, the Makau or bone hook is a traditional Polynesian symbol for strength and good luck which to us embodies the visceral connection that exists between people and the ocean. I believe that life in harmony with the ocean is the ultimate lifestyle and I recognize that there are a lot of people who share and respect this viewpoint."
Our mission statement at OluKai is: "To make a big footprint in the ocean lifestyle market while leaving the smallest footprint we can on the planet. To this end, OluKai will work to minimize our impact on the environment and support organizations that share our belief in maintaining and protecting the ocean and the environment."
OluKai targets, what the founders believe, is an opening in the marketplace for a high-end, premium casual sandal that speaks to a relaxed, confident and up market customer who appreciates a high-quality product.
OluKai can be found in selected surf/specialty stores and boutiques for Spring/Summer of 2006.
© 2006 Business Wire
