Watches

Shinola President Jacques Panis Steps Down

WatchesFeb 23, 2018

Shinola President Jacques Panis Steps Down

Vice President of Watch Development Shannon Washburn will take over the role in March.

20180223_Panis.jpg
Jacques Panis has been president of Shinola since the brand launched in 2011. He will step down March 2.

Detroit--Shinola President Jacques Panis is stepping down, the watch brand announced Thursday.

Panis has been the president of the company since it began in 2011.

Shinola’s vice president of watch development, Shannon Washburn, will become the company’s new president when Panis departs next month.

Panis said in a press release from Shinola: “There comes a point in every career where it’s time to move on down the road, and that time has come for me. I will be leaving Shinola and the Bedrock Manufacturing Group as of March 2. I will be taking some time to pause and reflect before defining what is next for me.”


Shannon Washburn

The brand’s new president, Washburn, has worked with Shinola founder Tom Karsotis for almost three decades, Shinola said.

Her new role will entail guiding brand and product development as well as marketing.

She will report to Shinola CEO Tom Lewand, the former Detroit Lions president who took over in June 2016 when Steve Bock moved over to Filson.

Lewand called Washburn “one of the most talented, intelligent and respected people at Shinola.”

“It is a special opportunity to work with her in this leadership role, where she will be key to ensuring that our incredible team will continue taking our brand and our business on its amazing trajectory,” he said. “While we will greatly miss Jacques’ unique talents and energy on a daily basis, we are beyond grateful for his continued support and friendship.”

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