Alumni and Friends Directory

Charlie Denson

Charlie Denson

Title: Retired President

Company: NIKE Brand

Location: Portland, Oregon

Educational Background

B.S. Marketing, Utah State University, 1978


Huntsman School Interactions:

Leadership Forum Series SpeakerĀ - September 14, 2018
Leadership Forum Series Speaker - November 11, 2016
Utah State University's 126th General Undergraduate Commencement Speaker - May 4, 2013
Professional Achievement Award Recipient - April 3, 2002
National Advisory Board Member 2005 - 2007

Biography

Charlie Denson is President and Chief Executive Officer of Anini Vista Advisors, and also serves on the board of Funko, Inc., and on the board of directors of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After receiving his marketing degree from Utah State, Charlie spent 35 years at Nike, beginning as the assistant store manager in Portland in 1979, and serving as president of Nike Brand for 13 years. His career at Nike included time as vice president of United States and European sales, and as general manager of Nike USA. As president of the Nike Brand, Denson was responsible for leading the strategy of one of the world's most distinctive brands. He oversaw all aspects of the global direction for the company's consumer categories, including Actions Sports, Basketball, Football (Soccer), Men's Training, Running, Sportswear and Women's Training, as well as the Jordan Brand and Nike Golf. An innovator in developing sales and distribution strategies, Denson was a driving force in Nike's global growth as the company expanded into approximately 190 countries. He pioneered Nike's growth in China, India and Brazil.

An avid Aggie fan, Denson was instrumental in Utah State's unveiling of its new athletics brand and identity program in the spring of 2012. Denson received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Utah State University in 2013.

Videos:

Leadership Forum: Charlie Denson, Former President, NIKE (2018)


Leadership Forum: Charlie Denson, NIKE (2016)


Alumni Spotlight: Charlie Denson, Emeritus President at Nike Brand