Speaker Details
Dov Charney
Founder & CEO, American Apparel
Dov Charney is a youthful, energetic, creative entrepreneur having created the vision for American Apparel first in his home country of Canada, and transporting eventually throughout the globe. The Company was founded in 1998 and has since taken the business from its wholesale routes and transformed it into a global vertically-integrated speciality retailer, distributor and manufacturer. Mr Charney has been a passionate visionary and leader, spearheading American Apparel's growth into a half billion dollar business with a global network of 280 stores throughout 20 countries.
American Apparel leverages art, design and technology to advance the business process, while continuing to pioneer industry standards of social and environmental responsibility in the workplace. As founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Charney is actively involved in American Apparel's branding, marketing, production design and merchandising.
Mr Charney has also been a strong advocate for immigration reform and has led by example. The company actively markets its production as "made in Downtown L.A." which resonates favorably with its core customers. By remaining committed to domestic U.S. production, American Apparel has been able to provide thousands of hard working professionals' stable, good paying wages and benefits. American Apparel has also organised a "Legalize LA" campaign to provide more appropriate and business friendly immigration laws. American Apparel and Mr Charney socially conscientiously donate hundreds of thousands of garments to local charities and promote environmentally-friendly practices such as using solar power, recycling fabric scraps and utilising organic cotton.
On December 12, 2007, Dov Charney took the company public through a transaction with Endeavor Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded acquisition corporation. Mr Charney has since served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of American Apparel. The company currently trades on the American Exchange under the ticker "APP".
Prior to the transaction, Mr Charney served as Founder, Director, Chief Executive Officer and President of American Apparel and its predecessor companies since their formation in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1989. Mr Charney is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall and attended Tufts University.
