Under Armour Chairman & CEO to Speak at SSTI's 11th Annual Conference

As a former special teams captain for the University of Maryland, Kevin Plank began to foster the idea that is now Under Armour in 1995 during his time on the football field. Tired of repeatedly changing the cotton T-shirt under his jersey as it became wet and heavy during the course of a game, he set out to develop a next-generation shirt that would remain drier and lighter and consistently perform under the most extreme conditions. 

After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, Mr. Plank has taken Under Armour from a small operation in his grandmother's basement to a company employing more than 1,000 people in just one decade. 

Mr. Plank oversaw the company's November 2005 IPO, the first to double on opening day in five years, and the December 2006 move from the NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, the "PROTECT THIS HOUSE™" and "CLICK-CLACK™" advertising campaigns set industry standards, proving Under Armour's Brand has true staying power. Capitalizing on the impact of the powerful business ventures that have captured the eyes, ears, and hearts of consumers worldwide, Plank has led Under Armour's evolution from a niche company into a global industry leader.

While at the helm of Under Armour, Mr. Plank has been awarded a wide variety of accolades that demonstrate his growing influence within the industry. Plank has earned a spot in Sports Business Journal's "40 under 40" Hall of Fame, having been counted among a distinguished group of leaders in the sporting goods industry for the past three years, and was honored in 2006 with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year national award in the Retail and Consumer Products Category.