Dan Sheridan to succeed Jim Weber as CEO at Brooks Running

Brooks Running has announced that its current CEO, Jim Weber, is set to step down from the role after serving 23 years in the position. Dan Sheridan, currently serving as President and Chief Operating Officer, will be appointed as the next CEO of the performance wear brand on April 26, 2024, succeeding him.

Weber first joined Brooks’ board of directors in 1999 and was appointed CEO in 2001. He has been credited with establishing the company’s long-term strategy and focus on performance run. Under Weber's guidance, Brooks shifted from the brink of bankruptcy to a billion-dollar leader in the global running market by focusing on performance running and consistently adhering to its mission for over twenty years.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as Brooks CEO for the past 23 years,” said Weber in a statement. “I am incredibly proud of all Brooks has accomplished in my time here, the foundations we’ve built, and the position Brooks is in to continue its growth in 2024 and beyond.”

Brooks Running announces CEO transition as Jim Weber steps down

“Dan’s 25-year journey at Brooks has prepared him well for the CEO role. In addition to his broad-ranging functional expertise, Dan consistently leads with a customer-first mindset and people-centric operating mode, which have always been a success formula for Brooks.”

Sheridan, a company veteran, has a track record for cross-functional success. He first joined Brooks in 1998 and was appointed COO in 2019 before being promoted to president and COO in 2022. Recently, Sheridan has been instrumental in evolving Brooks’ strategy, expanding its business operations, optimizing the supply chain, and spearheading digital advancements. These efforts have enabled Brooks to effectively tackle challenges and implement a comprehensive multichannel approach, ensuring the brand connects with runners across various platforms.

“I have had the greatest opportunity to work and learn alongside Jim for most of my career at Brooks,” said Sheridan in a statement. “Together with the rest of our global team, we’ve created a great business, a winning workplace culture, and a brand that matters to runners and partners all over the world. I’m humbled and excited to lead the Brooks team and look forward to building on our momentum.”

First established in 2012 as a standalone operating subsidiary from Berkshire Hathaway Inc. by Warren Buffet, Brooks Running has grown under the leadership of Weber and the Brooks team. Greg Abel, vice chairman at Berkshire Hathaway, will support the company during the leadership change. “Jim and the Brooks team have done an exceptional job building a meaningful business and brand,” said Abel in a statement. “Dan's journey and leadership ensures a continued path of success.”

Following Sheridan’s appointment to CEO, Matt Dodge, vice president and managing director of Brooks International, will become president and COO, effective August 1, 2024. After five years of expanding Brooks' presence and team across the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Latin America (APLA) regions, Dodge is set to return to its global headquarters in Seattle. Since joining Brooks in 2013 as Associate General Counsel, Dodge has held several roles in the company, including VP general counsel, VP of HR, and managing director of Brooks International, contributing significantly over his ten-year tenure. His strategic focus on creating cohesive, customer-oriented strategies across various teams and regions positions him well to steer Brooks' global expansion. An announcement for a new leader to oversee Brooks’ EMEA operations based in Amsterdam is expected in the near future.

Brooks recently bolstered its leadership to drive global expansion. Early in 2024, Gabriel Rodriguez was appointed VP of apparel and accessories, responsible for the global apparel business's comprehensive management. In addition, Katie Carlson, part of Brooks' HR team since 2012, was promoted to senior vice president and chief human resources officer, underscoring the brand's commitment to its workforce and organizational culture.