BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today announced new geographic leadership in Greater China and North America in a continued effort to drive and accelerate growth in Nike’s largest geographic markets.

Nike is pleased to announce Nike veteran Craig Cheek will become Vice President and General Manager of Greater China. Craig Cheek most recently served as Vice President and General Manager of Nike’s North America geography overseeing growth in the United States and Canada. Cheek has a proven ability to drive and lead large businesses and has been instrumental in building Nike’s business in the North American geography. Cheek has a deep understanding of the Nike consumer and through his 20-year career with the company has continued to drive innovative strategies through product, sales and marketing. Cheek has held various senior management roles in the sales, product development and general management areas of Nike. In this role, Cheek will report to Gary DeStefano, President of Global Operations for Nike and replaces Willem Haitink, who will now become Vice President and General Manager of Converse’s EMEA (European, Middle East and Africa) business.

In this new role, Haitink will oversee the Converse business outside of the UK and will report to Nick Stowe, Senior Vice President of Converse International. Haitink has been responsible for driving strong growth across Greater China for the past five years and has established Nike as a clear market leader in this geography. During this time, Haitink was responsible for leading the team through a successful Beijing Olympic Games, building Nike’s brand, increasing consumer connections and elevating and expanding Nike’s retail presence. He has been with Nike for more than 15 years holding several senior leadership roles including General Manager of Nike Mexico and Nike’s Central, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa businesses.

Elliott Hill, an experienced and results-driven leader, will replace Cheek to lead the North American geography. Most recently, Hill served as Vice President of Global Retail charged with delivering on Nike’s potential for growth and innovation in the company’s direct to consumer business. With Hill’s leadership, Nike continued to drive brand growth and competitive separation in a challenging market. Hill has more than 22 years of experience with Nike and has held various senior level management roles within the company’s sales, product and retail organizations around the world. In his new role as Vice President and General Manager of North America, Hill will report to Gary DeStefano, President of Global Operations.

“Willem Haitink has led Nike’s Greater China business to achieve strong growth, and now we look forward to Craig Cheek taking the lead and continuing the momentum in this important geography,” said Gary DeStefano, President of Global Operations. “Craig will lead us forward to achieve our goal of doubling our size in China by 2015. Our brand in North America remains strong and Elliott Hill will continue to deepen our lead across this geography. With Hill’s experience, we will continue to connect with consumers by focusing on our category offense and by elevating the retail experience across all channels of distribution.”*

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit nikebiz.com.

* The marked paragraph contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by NIKE, Inc. with the S.E.C., including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K.

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