Southern Tide Names Heyn CEO

by Harry Sheff

Chris HeynSouthern Tide has named Chris Heyn as its new CEO. Jim Twining, who had led the company since 2008, left in October last year.

Heyn was most recently the chief executive of Summit Golf Brands, a post he held for nearly four years. Before that he was COO and managing director of DC Management Group. He was president of Nautica Apparel and then Nautica Sportswear from 2001 to 2008.

“We’re very pleased to have Chris join Southern Tide as our new CEO,” Southern Tide founder Allen Stephenson said in a statement. “His leadership expertise and extensive branded apparel background will help continue to drive the company’s remarkable progress.”

Heyn added, “Southern Tide is a brand and company that understands the market and its consumers. The company has experienced significant growth thanks to its passionate consumer base, commitment to quality and strong independent retail partners, and I look forward to leading the continued growth of the Southern Tide lifestyle.”

Southern Tide was founded by Allen Stephenson in 2006 in Greenville, South Carolina as a polo shirt company. It has since become a lifestyle brand for men, women and children across multiple categories including apparel, footwear, accessories and home.