The environmentally friendly family man, Casey Sheahan breaks down his past present and future as CEO of Patagonia.
By Erin Eastburn and Sam Hernandez
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- When most people think of the term CEO, one thinks of high power and big bucks. But for Patagonia CEO, Casey Sheahan, a balanced life and genuine outlook proves to be successful.
The Support Behind the Man
As you drive up the steep dirt driveway of the Sheahan family house, the natural architecture blends into the mountainous landscape behind it. Sandy, the family’s 12-year-old Australian Sheppard greets you with a couple welcoming barks, which sound more like howls.
This friendly welcoming is part of Casey Sheahans routine arrival home. The busy CEO family man splits his time between work with outdoor apparel and accessory company Patagonia in California and life in Colorado.
“Because I commute weekly to California from Colorado, I only have time for my job and my family,” Casey Sheahan said.
As you walk up the sharply carved stone stairs, leading to their window lit house, you automatically feel welcomed by the family and humble earthy artwork, architecture, furniture and spirit of their home.
One can hear a small river below and in the distance are towering snow-covered peaks. Since 2005, the family of four has called this home.
For Sheahan, his close-knit family makes everything worthwhile. They provide him with the support needed to run one of the largest privately owned outdoor apparel and accessory companies.
“It’s the most important thing,” Casey Sheahan said referring to his family.
The Sheahan family is one that could provide endless inspiration to outdoor enthusiast . Both Casey and wife Tara Sheahan have been competitive athletes throughout their lives and passed down their athletic abilities to both their sons Caelin, 20-years old and Aidan, 18-years old.
The family often takes trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to fish, camp, and ski together.
“Every moment I spend with my dad I try to learn as much as I can from his actions and mentalities, I do not take for granted the time I am given with him,” Aidan Sheahan said in regards to his Dad’s current position with Patagonia and the valued time spent together.
To Sheahan, happiness is so important for him and his family. When asked about wanting his two sons to experience a similar career as him?
Casey Sheahan said, “I want my boys to do whatever makes them happy in life and aligns most closely with their true passions. When they go to work, they too should be leaping up the stairs to the office two at a time.”
From POWDER to Patagonia
It isn’t easy being the CEO of a major outdoor sporting company like Patagonia, and for every successful ending comes a interesting beginning.
“I have had various roles in the outdoor and ski industries for 35 years.” Casey Sheahan said.
With about 1,000 applications per job, Sheahan knows how successful the business has become and how many people would love to work for Patagonia.
Throughout the 1980s, Sheahan started discovering his passion for the outdoors when he began working for ski magazine, POWDER.
He found a position as a journalist. From his experience with snow sports, he understood both angles to every story. Throughout his time with the publication, he also developed photography skills and became a valued employee of the company.
Eventually, Sheahan became editor of the magazine. He found himself traveling to remote locations, visiting places one only dreams about or sees in magazines.
“I've gone pretty much all over the world,” Casey Sheahan said.
In 1990 Sheahan began working for Nike’s outdoor division. Working with this large corporation helped Sheahan develop valuable experience that drove him towards his current position at Patagonia.
“Nike was a great experience and helped me develop basic business skills as well as product marketing experience,” Casey Sheahan said.
After his experience with Nike, in 1994, Sheahan joined the Merrell Footwear team and was named Vice President of Marketing in 1994.
After being with Merrell Footwear for three years, Sheahan made the transition to Boulder, Colo. based company Kelty. Kelty is a small outdoors supply company specializing in camping equipment.
Sheahan continued developing this company and created a strong legacy when he left in 2005 to work with Patagonia.
“Being CEO of Patagonia is a real honor and I feel like it is the culmination to a fun career in an industry that makes products for activities I love,” said Casey Sheahan.
The Stanford graduate gives off a laid-back vibe for a CEO of a major company, but still holds traits that are important for running a company.
“I'm a believer in the power of companies that are propelled by strong vision, mission and values,” Sheahan said.
With more and more companies headed down the “green” route, Patagonia is leading the way for sustainability and environmental awareness.
World of Green
“This big, beautiful blue ball we live on is paradise,” said Casey Sheahan, “And it's all we've got so we better take care of it!”
Sheahan lives an environmentally friendly lifestyle. He has developed many of his everyday life and business practices based on his view of living an eco-friendly life and caring for this planet we call home.
As CEO, Sheahan and Patagonia have made the effort to incorporate ways to help the environment through the products themselves.
“We know that everything we do as a company pollutes to some degree, but we try to minimize our impacts as much as possible,” Casey Sheahan said.
Patagonia has tried to minimize their impact on the environment in many ways, one of which includes giving one percent of their sales to supporting grassroots environmental causes.
The company also recycles apparel. For 2010 they made a goal to make 100 percent recyclable products. With such ambitious goals, the company managed to make it to 70 percent, but is continually increasing their eco-friendly ways. Patagonia’s new objective for the year 2015 is to have a landfill free product line.
In addition to his involvement in environmentally friendly practices at work, Sheahan has also enjoyed supporting his family with their goals involving the environment.
“I have also enjoyed helping my wife Tara launch the Conscious Global Leadership Institute which ties nicely to my work at Patagonia and our position as one of the most socially and environmentally responsible companies in the world.”
According to an interview between Alex Bogusky and Sheahan on Bogusky’s YouTube Channel, FearLessQA; Patagonia has joined forces with Wal-Mart to help them reduce their global footprint through both companies involvement with Conscious Global Leadership.
Patagonia’s big success in sustainability has been the launch of the Footprint Chronicles, a link on their website which will allow users to track the impact of a specific product all the way from the design of the product to the delivery. With photos of the fabric from Japan to the factories the products are sewn, users can see each and every step of the process.
“The process of global transformation begins with personal transformation,” Casey Sheahan said.
Interview, Interview, Interview
From Sheahans experience he has developed a set of morals and has transferred them to his career ambitions. From this he stands for a company and lifestyle that is true to the person he has become, creating a successful business tactic and personal life.
“Interview, interview, interview. Find a company you love and be relentless in pursuing any opportunity with them,” Casey Sheahan said. “Don't give up if it seems daunting to get a job, keep showing up in person; don’t let the HR [Human Resources] department keep you at bay.”
Sheahan believes from his ambitious goals he has become a major leader in our society.
“What is most inspiring about my dad to me is the expressions he gives off of leadership,” Aidan Sheahan said. “Casey has had many experiences throughout the world, good and bad, which have shaped him to be the person he is today.”
Sheahan also encourages people to understand that life should be spent doing something you love.
“We have to stand up and do something. If you don't stand for something as a person or a corporation, you stand for nothing,” Casey Sheahan said.
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