Dr. Martens has hired Paul Zadoff as its next president of the Americas, beginning next month.
Zadoff joins Dr. Martens after a 30-year career in footwear, sporting goods and fashion, per a Monday news release. Zadoff spent two decades at Nike, where he held roles in sales, product and brand. His career also included stints at Patagonia, Levi Strauss & Co. and fitness company TRX Training. He was most recently chief operating officer for eyewear brand Caddis.
In his new role, Zadoff will be responsible for driving the performance, growth and profitability of Dr. Martens’ Americas business, which is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and consists of 59 owned stores. Total sales in the region account for nearly 40% of the London-based company’s revenue, per the release.
There is “vast untapped potential ahead across the Americas,” for the brand, Zadoff said in the release.
Zadoff will succeed Jennifer Somer, who left the role in November 2024, according to her LinkedIn. He will report to CEO Ije Nwokorie. Nwokorie is also new to his position; he took the helm after previous CEO Kenny Wilson announced his decision to step down last year.
When Wilson announced his departure, Dr. Martens anticipated a U.S. wholesale revenue decline by double digits. The U.S. is its largest market, and the company implemented a plan to “reignite boots demand” in the country.
The footwear brand has been without a creative director since Darren McKoy left in January after a decade. The company recently launched a collaboration with streetwear brand Palace and a special-edition boot to mark its 65th anniversary.
In the company’s most recent earnings statement in January, Nwokorie said the company had made good progress against its “objective of turning around our USA performance,” with the Americas DTC revenue growing 4% on a constant currency basis. The company’s overall revenue was down 3% to 260 million pounds, or about $351.3 million.
Dr. Martens will release its 2025 fiscal year results on June 5.
