Seattle, Washington – After more than 20 years as the CEO of Brooks Running, Jim Weber is stepping down, the company announced on Tuesday. Dan Sheridan, a longtime Brooks veteran who worked his way up from a marketing role in 1998 to become the chief operating officer and president, will take over the top position on April 26.
Under Weber’s leadership, Brooks Running was brought back from the brink of bankruptcy, going through four different owners to become a more than $1 billion brand. Despite the success, Weber expressed sadness at leaving what he called the “best job in the world,” but after battling cancer, he’s looking to step back and find more balance in life.
Sheridan, now inheriting a thriving business, has been instrumental in building the company over the past few years as Weber prepared him to take the helm. With $1.2 billion in sales last year and a focus on global expansion, Sheridan is aiming to build on the brand’s success and further expand its product offering.
Weber and his team started succession planning when Brooks became part of Berkshire Hathaway, with Sheridan identified as the future leader early on. Over the years, Weber exposed Sheridan to various aspects of the business, preparing him for the eventual transition. Sheridan’s eagerness, curiosity, and ambition have earned him praise, with Weber noting that Sheridan’s fingerprints are already on the company’s strategy.
As Sheridan takes the reins, he faces challenges ahead in a competitive market, dealing with issues like supply chain disruptions, economic uncertainty, and changing consumer preferences. With Weber’s guidance and emphasis on judgment as a key leadership quality, Sheridan is poised to lead Brooks Running into the future with a sharpened focus on decision-making and strategic planning.