SIMA Chairman Emeritus, Dick Baker, Remembered
4/14/2009
Aliso Viejo, Calif. (April 14, 2009) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is deeply saddened by the passing of its longtime president, leader and guiding light, Dick Baker, after his two-year battle with cancer. The SIMA Board of Directors, Advisory Boards and staff are devastated by the loss.
Baker became involved with SIMA in 2000 after coming to work for the iconic surf brand Ocean Pacific (Op), and served as president of SIMA for nine years. His presidency was instrumental in creating the vibrant trade association of Orange County based surf lifestyle brands, and he provided unfailing leadership and guidance throughout a time that has marked the association’s largest growth and expansion.
“Words cannot express our grief or how greatly Dick will be missed,” said Sean Smith, SIMA executive director. “Dick’s leadership in SIMA was absolutely unparalleled. I speak on behalf of the SIMA family and entire surf industry in saying he was so much more than our leader ¬– he was our mentor, our friend, a role model, a confidant. As a person he was generous, positive and a devoted family man. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Information regarding memorial services will be shared when available. Please contact the SIMA office with questions or inquiries.
SIMA Pays Tribute to Dick Baker
• "It's hard for me to think about Dick without cracking a smile. We are both fairly cynical by nature and would never miss an opportunity to light one another up with some sort of derogatory comment. Yet among all the heckling, he managed to teach me a lot. Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned from Dick was about courage, be it the courage of standing behind your convictions, the courage to think apart from the crowd, or the courage he had in fighting his insidious disease."
– Doug Palladini, Vice President of Marketing, Vans / SIMA Board of Directors
• “Dick’s passing leaves me with an empty feeling I cannot describe. This loss is not only personal to me, but to anyone who was fortunate enough to know this extraordinary man. Dick was a great husband and a father not only to his kids, but to the industry as a whole. A great leader, a great motivator, and one who knew exactly how to make someone feel good about themselves. He fought courageously to the end, life without Dick will never be the same.”
– Joel Cooper, CEO, …lost / SIMA Board of Directors
• Longtime SIMA Vice President and close friend Paul Naude, CEO of Billabong USA, is out of the country and unreachable for direct comment, but it goes without saying that Paul is deeply saddened by the loss of his friend and colleague, and expresses sincere condolences to the Baker family.
• “Dick Baker was a larger-than-life individual who advised and mentored every CEO in the surf industry, while making certain Wall Street knew about the beach. He was a true champion for our industry, as well as a dear personal friend.”
– Bob Mignogna, former publisher of Surfing magazine / SIMA Senior Advisory Board member
• "Dick was a mix of father, brother and friend. I feel a bit like an orphan today. He will continue to live in the hearts of the ones that knew him. Gracias, Dick."
– Fernando Aguerre, Liquid Tribe / SIMA Senior Advisory Board member
• "Not sure what to write, but feeling the tremendous loss and thinking of all of you who worked closely with Dick on so many issues for numerous years. Am so thankful I had the chance to work with him at least briefly via SIMA, learn from his leadership and experience, plus benefit from his friendship and support. A true maverick and gentleman, who created a legacy which will continue to guide our industry in a positive light. Really regret missing invitations to share a beer, and simply talk more shop with the man."
– Jesse Faen, President, Insight / SIMA Advisory Board member
• "DICK BAKER. R.I.P.
Yesterday it was raining in Orange County, the sky was crying!
My mate Dick baker passed away yesterday morning after a two year long battle with cancer.
“F**K CANCER!”
In the Nineties Dick Baker came back to where he was born in Southern California, to his roots from his New York garmento background at brands like Esprit and Tommy Hilfiger and intergrated himself back into Southern California surf culture.
He took the helm of OP an original Southern California surf brand and re-invented it with a crew of talented sidekicks whilst having his sons Ryan and Jack with the love of his life Una in San Clemente.
When I was President of SIMA at the end of the Nineties he was the Vice-President and after my term was up, Dick took the position of “El Presidente” and lead us through the next decade until today leading our industry organization to unprecedented new heights.
I will never forget, Dick picking me up early one morning at the Brasil Babe's in a limo to go to Ecuador in 2004 to try an convince the surfing nations of the world to give the National Governing Body(NGB) status to Surfing America, we convinced them to do so and it was the beginning of bringing US surfing back to international credibility.
Was one of the many things he did that changed the face of our industry.
We will miss him, more than we know!
To my Mate:
You can shed tears that he is gone.
Or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back.
Or you can open your eyes and see he's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him.
Or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday.
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he's gone.
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn you back.
Or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
– Peter “PT' Townend, Founder of ActivEmpire / Senior Advisory Board member
• “I was SIMA president in the mid-90s and met Dick when he joined Ocean Pacific as its CEO. At the time, I was a VP at Op and was in the midst of transitioning to another company. While I worked with Dick only briefly at Op, we continued to collaborate on the SIMA board for several more years. It was always a pleasure to communicate with someone so smart, so funny, so creative and so warmly self-effacing. SIMA moved onward and upward because of Dick, and I respect how he moved the organization forward. He made SIMA both bigger and better, and that is no easy feat. I will always remember how Dick made incessant jokes about his white legs and black socks. Who was he kidding? We knew there was genius behind it all, and his business acumen was nothing short of remarkable. Rest in peace, Dick Baker. I’m sorry it ended way too soon.”
– Bonnie Crail, Crail Communications / former SIMA president and Op Vice-President
----
About Dick Baker
Baker was born on September 3, 1946, raised in Southern California and was a graduate of the University of California at Northridge. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, he worked his way through school at a men’s specialty store. The world of fashion continued as he began his career at Bullocks (a division of Federated, now Macys). Becoming a buyer at a young age allowed international travel, invaluable retail experience and created a platform for future opportunities.
In 1980, Baker was recruited to become president of Marithe & Francois Girbaud, a designer jeans company and division of Calvin Klein, in New York.
In 1983, Dick was named CEO and president of Izod Lacoste menswear. Establishing a strategy to renew the popularity of the brand, he was a member of the management group that spun off Crystal Brands from the parent company General Mills.
In 1986, he was hired as president of Esprit Womenswear. Based in San Francisco, this lifestyle juniors brand grew to $250 million during his tenure.
Prior to joining Op in 1997, he was president of Tommy Hilfiger Womenswear, where Tommy Girl apparel was launched and grossed $100 million in its first year.
While at Op, through creative marketing, well-timed product extensions and licensing agreements with key manufacturers, revenues increased five-fold to $250 million world wide during his tenure as CEO.
After successfully rejuvenating the brand, Op was acquired by Warnaco Inc. (Calvin Klein, Speedo, Chaps) in 2004. Baker continued to serve as President and helped in the transition of the business through 2007.
In spite of his busy career schedule, Baker remained active in community service, environmental and humanitarian organizations. He actively supported local causes such as Life Rolls On, Boarding for Breast Cancer, Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Institute. He was the former Chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (New York), and the 1996 honoree of the Boy Scout Council (New York).
Baker was also honored with the Creative Leadership Award by Otis College of Art and Design in 2000, where he served on its Board of Trustees; in 2004, he was honored by the Orange County Boy Scouts with the Men of Character Award; in 2005, Baker was also the honoree for the AMY award of the YMA (Young Men’s Association) creating scholarships for the fashion industry; and, in 2008 he was honored as Orange County Father of the Year at a benefit for the American Diabetes Association. He will be honored by SIMA this August with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Annual Waterman’s Ball.
Baker is survived by his wife of 19 years, Una; his two sons, Ryan and Jack; his father, Donald; and his sister, Donna.