Robert A. Eckert to Succeed Stephen C. Neal as Chair of Board of Directors
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:
LEVI) announced today a transition of the leadership of its board of directors.
Stephen C. Neal, current board chair, will be stepping down from the position on March 26, 2021,
after reaching the mandatory board retirement age of 72. The board has unanimously appointed Robert “Bob” A.
Eckert to succeed Neal as board chair, effective March 26, 2021.
“It has been an honor to lead the Levi Strauss & Co. board over the last decade. As I step down from this
role, I have great confidence that Bob will continue to bring a high standard, invaluable perspective and strong
leadership that will help management drive performance over the coming years,” said Neal.
“Steve has been instrumental to our successful turnaround over the last decade, including playing a key role in
taking the company public. He has guided us through countless strategic decisions and supported our commitment
to our values every step of the way,” said Chip Bergh, president and chief executive officer of Levi Strauss
& Co. “As Steve retires as board chair, we are lucky to have Bob step into this role. Bob has been a
successful CEO and brings decades of experience with other large, global companies and more than 10 years of
experience on our board. He understands our business, our strategies and our culture, and is the ideal person to
lead the board into the future.”
In addition to his service on the Levi Strauss & Co. board, Eckert previously served as chairman of the
board of Mattel, Inc. from May 2000 until December 2012 and was chief executive officer there from May 2000
until December 2011. Prior to joining Mattel, Inc., he worked for Kraft Foods, Inc. for 23 years, including
serving as its president and chief executive officer from October 1997 until May 2000.
“Levi Strauss & Co. is an iconic, global company that I’ve come to know well over my decade of service on
the board,” Eckert said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the board and the leadership team in service
to our shareholders and other stakeholders, and in support of the company’s long-standing commitment to
delivering profits through principles.”
About Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) is one of the world's largest brand-name apparel companies and a global
leader in jeanswear. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women
and children under the Levi's®, Dockers®, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™, and Denizen® brands. Its
products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department
stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 3,100 retail stores and shop-in-shops. Levi
Strauss & Co.'s reported 2020 net revenues were $4.5 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com.
Investor Contact: Aida Orphan
Levi Strauss & Co.
(415) 501-6194
Investor-relations@levi.com
Media Contact: Kelly Mason
Levi Strauss & Co.
(415) 501-7777
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