Distinguished Alumni Chris Waldeck
Chris Waldeck
Armed with a BSB degree in marketing, Chris M. Waldeck left ESU in 1989 to begin a career that took him to the top of internationally known corporations. Waldeck, who played football at ESU, began his professional career with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) headquartered in Kansas City and his hometown, according to Brad Stratton, one of three who nominated Waldeck. Stratton (BSB 86-Business Administration) is president of Overland Park Wealth Management.
Following the NAIA, Waldeck held leadership roles with Spalding Sports Worldwide, and Cramer Products, Inc.,before joining Reebok International and the Adidas Group in 2004. During his tenure with Adidas Group, he held several domestic and international leadership positions including leading a complex business turnaround of the group’s Reebok brand in South Korea from 2010 to 2013 and ultimately was named Vice President and General Manager of the Reebok North America operating unit in 2013.
In 2017, Waldeck joined VF Corporation as President of the Lee Brand. He was a member of the senior executive team that led the spin-off of the Jeanswear Division (Lee and Wrangler) to form Kontoor Brands, Inc., an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: KTB) in 2019. Waldeck is currently EVP, Co-Chief Operating Officer, and Global Brand President.
A letter of support from Scott Baxter, Kontoor Brands President, CEO, and Board Chairman, described Waldeck as “book-smart, practical and experienced, with an equal dose of productive passion… Chris leads by inspiring others, while encouraging collaboration in an inviting way… My thanks for preparing Chris to be a valued leader on team Kontoor Brands.”
Dr. R. Ed Bashaw, dean of the School of Business + Technology and Jones Distinguished Professor, praised Waldeck for essential contributions beyond business. “To only focus on Chris’s success in business would overlook his deep love and respect for his alma mater,” Bashaw said. Waldeck has served on the Dean’s Advisory Council, hosted events on behalf of the School of Business and visited with business students. Stratton mentioned Waldeck’s strong character. Waldeck had joined Kappa Sigma fraternity during Stratton’s term as president. When Waldeck had received the national fraternity’s $250 cash scholarship for academic performance and campus-community involvement, he pulled Stratton aside and asked him to give the check to another student with greater need. “That gesture back then speaks to who Chris Waldeck is and continues to be today,” Stratton said.