Marc van Pappelendam returns in a way to previous responsibilities within Nike's European operation with his appointment as vice president and general manager for Central & Eastern Europe. He is taking the place of Michaela Stitz, who is leaving the group on Aug. 1. Stitz had been placed in charge of the newly created Central & Eastern Europe region, encompassing also Russia and Africa in 2009 in the midst of a major reorganization of Nike's European regional structure.
Most of the area had been previously under the responsibility of van Pappelendam, who was appointed at the time as Nike's vice president and general manager for the U.K. and Ireland, where he oversaw the brand's presence and the 2012 Olympic Games in London, among other feats. A 15-year veteran of Nike, van Pappelendam had previously taken care of Northern Europe, acting subsequently as commercial director for the whole Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
Stitz first joined Nike in 1996, and she has held a number of commercial and leadership roles including that of sales manager for Germany and general manager for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia.
Gareth Hosford, currently general manager of football in the U.K. and Ireland, has been promoted to take on van Pappelendam's position at the head of the British subsidiary.
In another important geographical move, Jim Reynolds is leaving as vice present and general manager of Nike in Russia to become vice president and general manager for Japan. He is credited for “accelerated marketplace development” and “leveraged key sports moments” including the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi. Prior to his role in Russia, Reynolds served as the general manager for Central Europe and Israel.
Kristjan Luha, an Estonian executive who is currently general manager of Nike for Greece, will succeed Reynolds at the head of the Russian subsidiary. The Greek operation will be run by Felix Muennich, who is now serving as director of strategic planning for Central and Eastern Europe.
Luha already worked for Nike in Russia as sales manager, after taking care of distributor markets and before running Nike in Greece.
Nike has also announced some changes in category management. To accelerate growth across its training business, it has appointed a 23-year Nike veteran, Craig Zanon, to an expanded and elevated role as vice president and general manager in charge of global men's training.
Zanon currently serves in the important role of vice president and general manager of global basketball operations. This function will transition to Michael Jackson, the company's vice president and general manager in charge of basketball for North America. Jackson has taken care of basketball for the Swoosh not only in North America, but also in China.
