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  Ted Li - SES file photo

Quiksilver has hired a new SVP of Sales for Quiksilver Americas – Ted Li from Oakley.

Ted is a 17-year Oakley veteran and had a big job at the company. He was in charge of Oakley’s wholesale business in North America for the past six years. Before that, he worked on the international side of the business, mostly managing the Asia Pacific regions.

Oakley has a sophisticated operation with over $1 billion in annual revenue, the majority of which is in the North American region.

Ted has strong relationships with key core accounts, and is well liked in the industry. He also has relationships in many different distribution channels, from department stores and snow resort companies to national lifestyle retailers and sporting goods chains.

He worked at Oakley when it was acquired by Luxottica, and knows about working with different cultures from his many years of working with Luxottica’s Italian executives. That could help in interactions with Quiksilver’s European team, which is in charge of marketing as well as merchandising and design, among other functions. CEO Pierre Agnes is also based in France.

Ted is replacing John Graham, who departed shortly after former CEO Andy Mooney left.

Quiksilver President Greg Healy, who is in France for the Quiksilver board meeting and earnings conference call, told SES via email:

“We are really excited to have someone with Ted’s expertise and experience come and join our team,” he said. “Ted’s understanding of the market, his proven track record in growing a business successfully in the Americas and his passion for our brands, make him the perfect fit to lead our sales teams in the Americas.”

Oakley is going through its own changes. A new Luxottica leadership team has said publicly that Oakley and Luxottica are being integrated more closely, and they expect to consolidate and integrate several functions, including wholesale sales.

Ted starts his new job at Quiksilver July 1.