Pendleton Woolen Mills taps former Nike executive as new CEO

Pendleton Woolen Mills has named former Nike executive Jennifer Ingraffea its next CEO.

“I feel a profound sense of responsibility to steward Pendleton’s iconic heritage while guiding the brand, the team and the business forward into its next chapter of growth,” Ingraffea said.

Ingraffea, the first female chief executive officer in the company’s 160-year history, will replace CEO John Bishop following his retirement in July.

Known for its vibrant wool blankets and clothing, the Portland-based textile manufacturing company operates 41 retail stores, including a retail outlet in Washougal and two of the nation’s last remaining woolen mills in Washougal and Pendleton, Ore. The Washougal woolen mill employs 190 workers.

Ingraffea said she understands just how crucial the two woolen mills are to the company’s brand.

“Our mills are more than just part of our name — they’re central to Pendleton’s identity and set us uniquely apart in a competitive market,” Ingraffea said. “I want us to continue to leverage the strengths of our mill heritage while exploring new ways to elevate. The Washougal mill is not only a key part of Pendleton’s story, but a critical chapter in the broader history of American manufacturing.”

The company has been led by the Bishop family for more than a century. Bishop joined Pendleton full time in 1982, working at the company’s woolen mill in New Hampshire before returning to Oregon in the mid-1990s to run the company’s fabric sales, home and apparel and manufacturing divisions. He was named CEO in 2017.

Bishop will remain with the company as its chairman of the board to ensure a smooth transition.

“I feel a strong sense of gratitude to be welcomed into the business and into the rich family history of the company,” Ingraffea said.

Bishop said in a news release that Ingraffea’s leadership style set her apart during the company’s CEO search.

“We set a high bar for this search and are excited to have exceeded it,” he said. “From our earliest conversations, it was clear Jenn’s magnetic presence, her leadership style grounded in mentorship, and her ability to unite teams around a shared vision made her a natural fit for Pendleton.”

Ingraffea has worked in the outdoor apparel industry for 25 years, serving most recently as The North Face’s chief product and merchandising officer and, previously, as Nike’s global vice president of children’s footwear.

She said one of her priorities as Pendleton’s next CEO is to “guide the company back to its core strengths.”

“My approach to leadership is rooted in stewardship — leaving things better than you found them,” Ingraffea said. “In that spirit, I want to continue to honor the loyal customers who have helped build Pendleton into what it is today, while also welcoming a new generation to discover the brand’s story and grow alongside us, becoming loyal fans and, ultimately, lifelong customers.”

Though she may be the company’s first female CEO, Ingraffea credited another woman, Pendleton Woolen Mills’ co-founder Fannie Kay Bishop, for helping to make the company what it is today.

“As a young girl, Fannie Kay developed an early fascination with the mill, often accompanying her father to work and immersing herself in the art of wool manufacturing,” Ingraffea said. “She helped her father with correspondence and gained understanding of the business.

“There are certainly big shoes to fill, and I step into this role with deep respect for Pendleton’s past and commitment for our future.”

Doug Flanagan: 360-735-4669; doug.flanagan@columbian.com