Field Notes

Imperial announced John Anderson’s hire as the company’s new Vice President of Sales (Golf) This week. “It's my pleasure to welcome John to the Imperial team,” said David Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Sales at Imperial. “John’s years of experience and network of industry professionals will be a major asset to our sales team.” John is a well respected industry veteran with over thirty years of experience, ranging from a General Manager of multiple Pro Golf Discount off course retail facilities, golf company sales representative for Polo Ralph Lauren, independent golf sales representative with Cutter and Buck, Pukka and Ogio along with 20 years of sales management with Forresters outerwear, Antigua Golf and Straight Down apparel. John lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is the proud father of four along with three beautiful granddaughters.

NKF Konica Minolta Golf Classic events are held at some of the most prestigious courses across the country providing corporations additional opportunities to partner with customers and colleagues while also supporting corporate social responsibility and a great cause. “We’re honored that Imperial Headwear is joining us once again as a National Promotional Partner during the 2022 season of the NKF Konica Minolta Golf Classic tournaments,” said Kevin Longino, CEO, National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant patient. “Those with kidney disease are at increased risk of developing life-threatening complications from COVID-19, particularly with the development of multiple variants like Delta or Omicron. This incredible partnership comes at a critical time for our kidney community and truly helps us raise awareness and the funds needed to continue advancing kidney health. The partnership between the National Kidney Foundation and Imperial Headwear includes a curated collection of headwear, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting NKF. “Golf has been a great respite for those seeking leisure and exercise for hundreds of years, but never more so than in the past year during the global pandemic,” said David Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Sales, Imperial Headwear. “That’s why we’re so pleased to continue our partnership with the National Kidney Foundation by providing our most popular hats at their golf events held throughout the country. We’re very proud to do our part in helping support patients and families affected by kidney disease, especially during these challenging times,” added Shaffer. Successful since it was founded in 1987, the NKF Konica Minolta Golf Classic is The Premier Amateur Golf Event for Charity. Each year thousands of golfers from across the country participate in nearly 30 local events held at top venues, entertaining clients, and playing for the chance to qualify in the National Finals held at the prestigious Pebble Beach in January of 2023. Participating golfers raise $3.5 million annually to benefit the National Kidney Foundation and the more than 1 in 7 American adults affected by kidney disease. The series showcases Konica Minolta as the National Title Sponsor and IAA, Inc., and Horizon Therapeutics as a National Corporate Partner. National Promotional Partners include the Greg Norman Collection and Imperial Headwear. For more information about the NKF Konica Minolta Golf Classic, or to find an upcoming event near you, please visit NKFKonicaMinoltaGolfClassic.com. All golf events will adhere to COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as any state-specific guidelines. Please review NKF’s “Know Before You Go” for additional information.

Imperial and its parent company Paramount Apparel International, is proud to announce it has been acquired by CPC LLC, a Kansas City-based family office investment firm. CPC, whose mantra is “Buy, Build, Hold,” was formed by the partners of Curran Companies and C3 Capital with the shared vision of becoming world class partners for great companies. CPC is a company, not a traditional private equity fund, that seeks to make long-term investments and grow businesses over decades, not years. “Imperial is exactly the type of business with which CPC is looking to partner,” said Wiley Curran, Principal at CPC LLC. “It is well-managed, a brand leader in its category, has high standards for conducting business and strongly positioned for expansion. We are looking forward to a bright future and longstanding partnership with Imperial.” There will be no changes to the operations of Imperial or its parent company, Paramount Apparel International. All manufacturing and distribution facilities in the state of Missouri will continue to operate as usual. Also, management for Imperial will remain fully intact, focusing on the continued growth and success of the 105-year old brand. “We are extremely excited about CPC’s acquisition of Paramount, including the Imperial brand,” said Todd Johnson, President & Chief Operating Officer of Paramount Apparel International. “CPC has made it very clear how committed they are to the future of Imperial, as well as the long-term success of our Company. Their strategy to buy, build and hold businesses is aligned with the current ownership’s vision for the future of Imperial and Paramount.”

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. "Imperial is extremely proud to extend our partnership with the AJGA and remain the 'Official Headwear of the AJGA' through 2026," said David Shaffer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Imperial. "Growing the game and supporting junior golf are commitments that our Company takes very seriously. As an AJGA alum myself, I have the utmost respect for the AJGA as an organization, the individuals who run it, and the role they play in this important process to maintain the game we all love." As the ‘Official Headwear of the AJGA’ Imperial will continue to distribute hats to all players across our 120 plus events and their qualifiers annually. AJGA staff and interns will also continue to exclusively wear Imperial headwear at all AJGA events. Members of future Wyndham Cup, and PING Junior Solheim Cup teams will also sport Imperial hats as part of their team uniform. AJGA membership will receive a 20% discount, accessed through the Player Center, to purchase products from the expansive Imperial line. Imperial also offers an exclusive AJGA collection of hats, visors, and bucket hats. “We are thrilled to re-sign Imperial as an Official Partner of the AJGA and continue having them as the ‘Official Headwear of the AJGA’ through 2026”, AJGA Chief Business Officer Jason Etzen said. “We look forward to continuing to be amongst the long list of golf industry affiliations of Imperial for years to come.” Members can also expect to see a rebrand of the membership ‘Weekly Preview’ newsletter with Imperial taking over presenting sponsorship of the email platform. The weekly serves to inform the membership of application deadlines amongst other topics to develop the next generation of golf. The AJGA will continue to share unique throwbacks of alumni and noteworthy moments via the ‘Imperial Throwbacks’ platform on @AJGAGolf Instagram and Twitter. Additionally, Imperial will be a major partner of a future invitational in 2022 and 2024.