Georges Mills, N.H. – – October 06, 2026 -- Dave Powers, former President and CEO of Deckers Brands, has joined footwear startup STOKE Shoes as an advisor and investor, bringing a track record that includes scaling HOKA into a billion-dollar-plus global brand.
Powers Led Deckers to Record $4.29 Billion Fiscal 2024 Revenue
Powers served as President and CEO of Deckers Brands from 2016 to 2024, part of nearly 13 years at the company. During his tenure, Deckers reported record fiscal 2024 revenue of $4.29 billion, with Powers credited for helping create more than $10 billion in shareholder value through brand, revenue and market-capitalization growth, including HOKA's rise from a niche running label to a major global franchise.
76% of U.S. Men Have Wide Feet, Per 2026 Volumental Foot Scan
STOKE Shoes is targeting a fit gap it says the athletic footwear industry has largely ignored. According to the 2026 Volumental Foot Scan, approximately 76% of men in the U.S. have wide feet, a mismatch the New Hampshire-based brand is designing its products around.
Powers' Footwear Career Spans Converse, Timberland and Gap Inc.
Before Deckers, Powers spent four years at Nike-owned Converse as Vice President of Global Direct-to-Consumer and Licensed Retail, leading international DTC expansion as part of Nike's retail leadership team. He also held leadership roles at Timberland and spent a decade at Gap Inc. STOKE Co-Founder Rick Blackshaw and CMO Ian Stewart first worked with Powers during their time at Converse.
Powers Will Advise on Product, Retail Expansion and Growth Strategy
In his new role, Powers will work with STOKE's leadership on brand strategy, product development, retail expansion, distribution and long-term growth. Founded by Blackshaw in 2025, STOKE is headquartered in New Hampshire with global manufacturing partners and positions itself around serving men with wide feet. Powers is based in Santa Barbara and holds a B.A. in Marketing from Northeastern University.