Interview with George Fellows, president and CEO of Callaway Golf
www.CallawayGolf.com
About Callaway Golf:
Callaway Golf Company creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company, which celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2007, manufactures and sells golf clubs, golf balls and golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf, Odyssey, Top-Flite, and Ben Hogan brands in more than 110 countries worldwide.
What is your background?
Prior to joining Callaway Golf, I had a private consulting business in New York, which is where I'm from. Before that, I was the president and CEO of Revlon. I earned my bachelor of science degree from City College of New York, and earned my master of business administration from Columbia University. After 15 years or so in the business world, I decided to return to school and completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program in 1981.
What are your duties/responsibilities at Callaway Golf?
As the President and Chief Executive Officer, I am responsible for the overall performance of Callaway Golf and for defining the strategic direction of the company and charting its long-term course.
What do you enjoy most about your position?
What I love – what I truly love – is the challenge of trying to get four unique and disparate brands, Callaway Golf, Odyssey, Ben Hogan and Top-Flite, to complement each other and work together. Each of our brands is very strong. Each has its own personality, and each occupies a very specific place in the mind of golfers everywhere, not just here in the United States but around the world as well. Callaway Golf is more than a brand; it's an icon and a high-profile one at that.
What is the most challenging aspect of your position?
In a way it is the same thing I enjoy the most; the dual challenge of making this collection of brands work and ensuring that the company maintains its position as the preeminent company in golf. Fortunately, we have some tremendous people on our team who make problem solving a way of life. Throughout our company we have people from all walks of life, with every type of background you can imagine. We have innovative people who know how to maximize existing technology, or even create entirely new technologies, in order to make golf equipment that makes every golfer a better golfer. We have analytical people who are not afraid to partner with our customers to design new sales and marketing tools like Shop.CallawayGolf.Com. And we have creative people who are constantly seeking new ways to communicate and connect with our consumers.
Where do you see the company going in five or 10 years?
I think we have only scratched the surface of what Callaway Golf is capable of. There are limitations placed on all golf manufacturers by the game's ruling bodies, the USGA and the R&A, but one thing this company does better than any other is innovate. We will continue to think outside of the box to discover new designs and new concepts to make every golfer a better golfer.
Why is it beneficial to have the headquarters in Carlsbad?
To begin, there is an exceptionally strong and talented workforce in this area. These folks have extensive experience in designing and fabricating with uncommon materials, like the titanium or carbon fiber that are integral components of our Fusion Technology products. The lifestyle and climate in Southern California makes it easy to attract additional talented people. And the phenomenal weather allows us to test our designs outside, in real-world conditions, all year-round.
What are the company's yearly earnings?
In 2006, we finished just a little under $1 billion. We are sharply focused on regaining our leadership position in drivers. We have been the No. 1 selling iron in golf for 10 straight years, by a wide margin. Our golf ball business continues to grow, and despite the fact that we have only been in the ball business for six years or so, we are a solid No. 2. And our Odyssey brand is the No. 1 selling putter in golf.
How many employees does Callaway Golf have?
We have approximately 1,500 employees here in Carlsbad and more than 3,000 worldwide.
What do you do in your free time?
Free time? What is that? Actually, I fly; I am a licensed pilot and I own a Bonanza. I also I love to ski, read, play tennis and golf, of course. My wife and I have picked up boating of late. So many things, so little time….
www.CallawayGolf.com
About Callaway Golf:
Callaway Golf Company creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company, which celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2007, manufactures and sells golf clubs, golf balls and golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf, Odyssey, Top-Flite, and Ben Hogan brands in more than 110 countries worldwide.
What is your background?
Prior to joining Callaway Golf, I had a private consulting business in New York, which is where I'm from. Before that, I was the president and CEO of Revlon. I earned my bachelor of science degree from City College of New York, and earned my master of business administration from Columbia University. After 15 years or so in the business world, I decided to return to school and completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program in 1981.
What are your duties/responsibilities at Callaway Golf?
As the President and Chief Executive Officer, I am responsible for the overall performance of Callaway Golf and for defining the strategic direction of the company and charting its long-term course.
What do you enjoy most about your position?
What I love – what I truly love – is the challenge of trying to get four unique and disparate brands, Callaway Golf, Odyssey, Ben Hogan and Top-Flite, to complement each other and work together. Each of our brands is very strong. Each has its own personality, and each occupies a very specific place in the mind of golfers everywhere, not just here in the United States but around the world as well. Callaway Golf is more than a brand; it's an icon and a high-profile one at that.
What is the most challenging aspect of your position?
In a way it is the same thing I enjoy the most; the dual challenge of making this collection of brands work and ensuring that the company maintains its position as the preeminent company in golf. Fortunately, we have some tremendous people on our team who make problem solving a way of life. Throughout our company we have people from all walks of life, with every type of background you can imagine. We have innovative people who know how to maximize existing technology, or even create entirely new technologies, in order to make golf equipment that makes every golfer a better golfer. We have analytical people who are not afraid to partner with our customers to design new sales and marketing tools like Shop.CallawayGolf.Com. And we have creative people who are constantly seeking new ways to communicate and connect with our consumers.
Where do you see the company going in five or 10 years?
I think we have only scratched the surface of what Callaway Golf is capable of. There are limitations placed on all golf manufacturers by the game's ruling bodies, the USGA and the R&A, but one thing this company does better than any other is innovate. We will continue to think outside of the box to discover new designs and new concepts to make every golfer a better golfer.
Why is it beneficial to have the headquarters in Carlsbad?
To begin, there is an exceptionally strong and talented workforce in this area. These folks have extensive experience in designing and fabricating with uncommon materials, like the titanium or carbon fiber that are integral components of our Fusion Technology products. The lifestyle and climate in Southern California makes it easy to attract additional talented people. And the phenomenal weather allows us to test our designs outside, in real-world conditions, all year-round.
What are the company's yearly earnings?
In 2006, we finished just a little under $1 billion. We are sharply focused on regaining our leadership position in drivers. We have been the No. 1 selling iron in golf for 10 straight years, by a wide margin. Our golf ball business continues to grow, and despite the fact that we have only been in the ball business for six years or so, we are a solid No. 2. And our Odyssey brand is the No. 1 selling putter in golf.
How many employees does Callaway Golf have?
We have approximately 1,500 employees here in Carlsbad and more than 3,000 worldwide.
What do you do in your free time?
Free time? What is that? Actually, I fly; I am a licensed pilot and I own a Bonanza. I also I love to ski, read, play tennis and golf, of course. My wife and I have picked up boating of late. So many things, so little time….