OC 50: APPAREL

Orange County Business Journal, Apr 28-May 4, 2008

Acquired Cleveland Golf unit as part of Rossignol, sold golf club maker to Japan's Sumitomo Rubber Industries for $132 million in December.

Returning sole focus to clothes, other products inspired by surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding. That part of business holding up.

Company is biggest surfwear maker with $2 billion in yearly sales. Big presence in Europe, Australia, where company's roots are.

Has maintained cachet despite growing big. Compares company to Rolling Stones: "We're an older brand, we're mature, we do our thing and we know who we are."

Former right-hand man Bernard Mariette left as president in February. As driving force behind Rossignol deal, Mariette could seek to buy ski unit. Another potential buyer: France's Look Cycle International, maker of bicycling equipment.

McKnight launching clothes for young women in college, starting careers. Looking to build on success of Roxy line for teens, young women.

Company only going so far in fashion. "We're not making runway dresses," he says.

As much a retailer as clothing company: runs 400-plus stores. Owns Australia's Surfection. Company shops include Quiksilver Boardrider Clubs, Roxy, Hawk Clothing, Quiksilver Youth.

Started Quiksilver as trunks maker in 1976 with Jeff Hakman, Aussie surfer he met in Bali. Pair moved to OC that year.

Went public in 1986. Later bought out European licensee of Quiksilver, introduced Roxy brand. Bought out remaining global Quiksilver, Roxy trademarks from licensees in early 2000s.

Bought DC Shoes in 2004, drove turnaround of business.

Surf City headquarters spans 200,000 square feet, including warehouses. Cutting some local jobs, shifting some work to Mira Loma warehouse.

Considering relocating, consolidating within county. Developers courting. Could take as much as 500,000 square feet.

Company has travel division, full-time boat to scout surf spots. McKnight's favorite trip: Mentawai Islands, off Sumatra, Indonesia.

Inducted into Surfers' Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach in 2005.

Bachelor's in business from University of Southern California. Delta Tau Delta fraternity brother with SEC Chairman Christopher Cox. Made surfing videos as hobby.

Wife Annette (New Zealander he met, along with Hakman, on 1973 trip to BaIi), Three children,

Trustee, Otis College of Art and Design. Has land on Hanalei Bay in Kauai. Hits waves on custom surfboards, or links with buddies surfer Kelly Slater, John Ashworth. Likes snowboarding, tennis, golf, softball, volley ball, diving.

-Jessica Lee

GLENN PATRICK McMAHON

Chief executive

St. John Knits International Inc.

Born in Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1958

Lives in Corona del Mar

Fashion veteran helping 45-year-old clothing company get groove back after three-year struggle.

St. John-famous for elegant suits worn by politicians, celebrities, socialites in their 40s, 50s, 60s-recovering from unsuccessful push by former chief executive Richard Cohen to court younger wearers.

Core customers balked at tighter fits. Sales fell 4% to $375 million in 2005, prompting Cohen's abrupt exit.