News January 26, 2022
Outdoor Cap Promotes Jeanelle Harris to President
Harris had been serving as chief sales officer of the Arkansas-based headwear supplier.
Outdoor Cap Company (asi/75420) has a new president.
The Bentonville, AR-based supplier of headwear to the promotional products industry and other markets has named Jeanelle Harris to the C-Suite position. Harris takes over from Jim Haworth, who is departing Outdoor Cap to become executive chairman of NOW Diagnostics, a firm in the health testing field.
“Outdoor Cap is extremely fortunate to have had someone of Jeanelle’s capacity and expertise within our organization prepared to take on this role,” said Paul Mahan, the company’s founder and chairman. “I know she looks forward to getting started, and I am excited for the energy and vision she will bring to the total organization.”
Harris has already spearheaded success at Outdoor Cap. She joined the company in 2019 as senior vice president of retail sales. Last year she moved into the chief sales officer role.
During her time with the company, Harris has restructured the sales, supply chain and customer success departments in a manner that’s accelerated sales, promoted collaboration and prioritized the customer experience, executives said.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to walk alongside the Outdoor Cap teams as we lead forward based on a strong foundation set by Mr. Mahan and a trajectory of growth set in motion by Jim Haworth,” said Harris. “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve our customers in this elevated capacity.”
Prior to joining Outdoor Cap, Harris spent 14 years at Olivet International where she was an executive vice president overseeing sales and operations and president of its sustainable subsidiary, Ecotech. Olivet International is a supplier and sourcing partner to retailers.
Harris graduated from the University of Arkansas. She holds an MBA from John Brown University.
Mahan founded Outdoor Cap in 1977. The company has more than 400 employees. In total, the company services more than 14,000 business customers. Beyond the promo products space, Outdoor Cap also operates in the retail and teamwear markets.
Mahan praised Haworth for his contributions.
“He has been instrumental to expansion during his tenure and helped steady our company through a very difficult time in the world,” said Mahan. “For that I will always be grateful. I wish him the best in his future endeavors, professionally and personally.”
Haworth said he’s proud of the way the Outdoor Cap team has persevered and adapted during the challenges posed by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past couple years. He said he’s excited to see Harris lead the firm forward.
Said Haworth: “Jeanelle has proven herself to be an incredible asset to Outdoor Cap and I look forward to seeing where she leads this organization.”