Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> June 8, 1998
GLENN M. RUPP, 52, was appointed chairman and CEO of Converse Inc.
(NYSE:CVE) in April 1996, having previously held the position of
president and CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods Co., River Grove, IL from
1987-1991. He was Wilson's president and chief operating officer from
1985-1987 and held the position of vice president and general manager of
the Wilson International Division from 1983-1985. Wilson was a
subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc. when Mr. Rupp joined the company in 1983
until it was purchased by Wesray Capital Corp. and Wilson management in
September 1985 when Mr. Rupp was named president and COO. After selling
Wilson to Amer Group, Ltd. in 1989, Mr. Rupp resigned from Wilson in
1991 and became the president and CEO of Simmons Upholstered Furniture
Inc., of Northbrook, IL until 1994. Prior to joining Wilson Sporting
Goods in 1983, Mr. Rupp worked for PepsiCo, Inc. for 14 years in a
number of senior positions, including chief financial officer for the
PepsiCo International's Bottling Division, Purchase, NY. Some of the
other positions held during his 14 years included: vice president and
general manager, PepsiCo International, Frankfurt, Germany (1980-81);
vice president, planning worldwide, PepsiCo Soft Drink Group, Purchase,
NY (1979-80); as well as several senior management positions with North
American Van Lines in Fort Wayne, IN (1976-79) and as president of North
American Van Lines Canada, Ltd. in Toronto (1971-76), a position Mr.
Rupp assumed when he was 26 years old. Mr. Rupp is a graduate of Duke
University where he received a B.S. in mechanical engineering and
Harvard Business School where he received and M.B.A. Mr. Rupp is also on
the Board of Directors of Consolidated Papers, Inc. and Johnson Worlwide
Associates, Inc. Profile
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