Field Notes

BOURBON, Mo. – Imperial, a CPC company and market leader in the design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of headwear and apparel, announced the appointment of Matt Ritchie as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). The newly created role underscores Imperial’s continued investment in commercial leadership to support accelerated growth across its brand portfolio. Ritchie will lead Imperial’s integrated commercial strategy, overseeing go-to-market execution, customer experience, and revenue growth initiatives, while partnering with the senior leadership team to advance long-term strategic objectives. He brings more than 18 years of leadership experience across sales, marketing, and commercial operations in complex, multi-channel B2B environments. Most recently, Ritchie served as Senior Vice President of Sales at Interior Logic Group, where he led a national sales organization of more than 100 professionals and managed a $1.85 billion sales budget. His tenure included modernizing sales processes, implementing enterprise CRM, launching new products, and driving data-led decision-making that delivered measurable market share and revenue growth. In addition, Ritchie will lead the integration of The Winston Collection, Imperial’s recently acquired premium golf equipment and accessories brand based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. “Matt’s ability to align teams, strengthen go-to-market execution, and drive sustained growth makes him a strong addition to our leadership team,” said Jeremy Davis, CEO of Imperial. “His experience will be critical as we continue to scale the business and strengthen our position across the golf and lifestyle categories.” About Imperial Founded in 1916, Imperial is a CPC company with expertise in design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution. Imperial owns and operates several brands and companies, including Imperial, Pukka®, Winston Collection, and the Peter Millar Licensing Company.  Imperial is a consumer apparel brand that sells its products into several markets, including the direct-to-consumer (DTC), golf, corporate, and supply chain channels.  Customers include the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup. Imperial also has manufacturing and licensing relationships with Nike, Peter Millar, Tommy Hilfiger, Vans, Adidas and many other global brands. Imperial products can be found at all Top 100 and over 75% of the Top 400 golf courses in the United States and has been voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for eight consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech. Imperial supports the Imperial Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering the growth and vitality of sports—especially golf—and enhancing the well-being of communities it serves. CPC, Imperial’s parent company, is a Kansas City-based investment holding firm focused on a long-term strategy to buy, build, and hold™ great companies. For further information please visit Imperial1916.com. Follow Imperial on LinkedIn at @imperial-headwear or Instagram at @ImperialHats.

BOURBON, MO —  Imperial, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium headwear with a heritage dating back to 1916, has once again been recognized by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) as the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities. This marks the ninth consecutive year Imperial has earned the top honor from AGM members. The distinction is based on AGM’s annual membership study, conducted late last year and recently released. In the latest results, Imperial earned a commanding 36% of total votes, nearly three times the share of the next closest brand at 13%, reinforcing the company’s clear leadership position within the golf headwear category. Imperial’s continued success is driven by an ongoing commitment to product, design, and embellishment innovation, setting the standard for performance, quality, and customization in the marketplace. From advanced fabrications and modern silhouettes to industry-leading decoration techniques, Imperial continues to expand its capabilities to help golf retailers differentiate their assortments and elevate the consumer experience while maintaining fast turnaround times and low minimums that provide flexibility for today’s golf shops. The brand also continues to lead across all facility types, with particularly strong performance at private clubs, where it remains the top-selling headwear brand among respondents. Imperial’s momentum is further supported by its position as the #1 headwear brand in the combined on- and off-course retail golf channels, as reported by Golf Datatech. “Being recognized by AGM members year after year speaks volumes about the strength of our partnerships and the consistency of our product,” said David Shaffer, President of Imperial. “We’re proud to lead the category by such a meaningful margin. By continuing to invest in product and embellishment innovation, while offering quick turnarounds and low minimums, we’re able to help our retail partners react quickly, stand out on the shelf, and better serve their members and guests.” Headquartered in Bourbon, Missouri, Imperial continues to invest in innovation while upholding the craftsmanship, service, and trust that have defined the brand for more than a century. About Imperial Founded in 1916, Imperial is a CPC company with expertise in design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution. Imperial owns and operates several brands and companies, including Imperial, Pukka®, Winston Collection and the Peter Millar Licensing Company.  Imperial is a consumer apparel brand that sells its products into several markets, including the direct-to-consumer (DTC), golf, corporate, and supply chain channels.  Customers include the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup. Imperial also has manufacturing and licensing relationships with Nike, Peter Millar, Tommy Hilfiger, Vans, Adidas and many other global brands. Imperial products can be found at all Top 100 and over 75% of the Top 400 golf courses in the United States and has been voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for nine consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech. Imperial supports the Imperial Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering the growth and vitality of sports—especially golf—and enhancing the well-being of communities it serves. CPC, Imperial’s parent company, is a Kansas City-based investment holding firm focused on a long-term strategy to buy, build, and hold™ great companies. For further information please visit Imperial1916.com. Follow Imperial on LinkedIn at @imperial-headwear or Instagram at @ImperialHats.

BOURBON, MO – Imperial, voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for eight consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech, is proud to announce that a partnership with Toss & Spin.  This partnership will name Imperial as the “Official Headwear of Toss & Spin – one of the fastest-growing innovative pickleball and tennis platforms. The partnership brings together two brands committed to performance, community, and modern racquet-sport culture. Through this collaboration, Imperial will provide official headwear for Toss & Spin’s staff servicing their pickleball and tennis programming, including events, activations, and on-court experiences delivering high-quality, performance-driven styles designed for on and off-court play.  “Toss & Spin has built an impressive community across both pickleball and tennis, two sports that continue to attract players of all ages and skill levels,” said Jerry Biag, Director of Marketing at Imperial.  “We’re excited to support their mission by providing premium headwear that performs on court while reflecting the modern lifestyle surrounding racquet sports.” As part of the partnership, Imperial headwear and apparel will be featured at Toss & Spin pickleball and tennis events, pop-up experiences, and across digital and social channels. The collaboration will also include select co-branded styles and limited-edition drops designed to engage the Toss & Spin audience and celebrate the culture of both sports. “Toss & Spin is proud to partner with Imperial,” said Chris Clark, CEO of Toss & Spin. “Imperial’s legacy of quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our goal of elevating the player experience across pickleball and tennis, both on and off the court.” This partnership underscores Imperial’s continued expansion into high-growth racquet sports, extending its trusted craftsmanship and modern design to new communities beyond traditional categories. About Imperial Imperial is a consumer apparel brand founded in 1916 with design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities. Imperial sells its products into several markets, including the direct-to-consumer (DTC), golf, corporate, and supply chain channels. Customers include the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup. Imperial also has manufacturing and licensing relationships with Nike, Peter Millar, Tommy Hilfiger, Vans, adidas and many other global brands. Imperial products can be found at all Top 100 and over 75% of the Top 400 golf courses in the United States and has been voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for eight consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech. Imperial is also proud to fund the Imperial Foundation, a separate philanthropic organization committed to the growth and vitality of sports—especially the game of golf and those who support it—as well as the overall health and well-being of the people in the communities Imperial serves. For further information please visit Imperial1916.com. Follow Imperial on Instagram at @ImperialHats. About Toss & Spin Toss & Spin is a racquet sports agency that connects communities through pickleball and tennis by delivering best-in-class lessons, classes, and live events. Founded in 2020, Toss & Spin works closely with facilities, employers, and brands to design intentional programming experiences that make people happier and healthier through sport. Since its launch, Toss & Spin has conducted more than 1,000 events, delivered 8,000+ classes, and activated programming in 40 cities nationwide, creating accessible, high-quality racquet sports experiences for players of all ages and skill levels. Driven by its mission—bringing the joy of racquet sports to every hand, everywhere—Toss & Spin blends community, engaging formats, and technology to inspire people to learn, play, and grow. For more information visit www.tossandspin.com.  Follow Toss & Spin on Instagram @tossandspin

Organizational Announcement: Welcoming Jill Wenk to Imperial I am pleased to announce that Jill Wenk, MA, PHR will be joining Imperial as our new Vice President of Human Resources, effective January 5, 2026. Jill is an accomplished Human Resources executive with more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience guiding People Operations, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and Organizational Development across high‑growth, multi‑site, and global environments. She has a proven track record of building award‑winning cultures, scaling HR infrastructure, and serving as a trusted advisor to executive teams navigating complex organizational change. Most recently, Jill served as Vice President of People at Hennessey Digital, where she led global People Operations for a fully remote workforce spanning 28+ states and 19+ countries. She built a full‑scale HR function from the ground up, transforming the company from a founder‑led startup into a professionally managed, multimillion‑dollar organization. Under her leadership, the company achieved record employee satisfaction scores, significantly reduced turnover, and earned multiple Best Places to Work awards from Inc., Fortune, Titan, and Quartz. Jill’s accomplishments at Hennessey Digital include: Designing scalable human capital strategies that supported rapid growth and seamless post‑acquisition integration. Leading strategic communication and change‑management initiatives that strengthened morale during periods of transformation. Reducing turnover to well below industry benchmarks. Building high‑impact talent management, performance, and career‑pathing frameworks. Designing and overseeing total rewards program, including compensation, benefits, payroll, and compliance across numerous states and jurisdictions. Prior to that, Jill served as Senior Director of Human Resources at True Manufacturing, where she led HR operations for a large, multi‑site manufacturing organization. She drove major operational initiatives, streamlined talent acquisition processes, launched a Learning Management System, and strengthened compliance and employee relations practices across the enterprise. Earlier in her career, Jill held HR leadership roles at NISA Investment Advisors, where she successfully led the organization through a federal OFCCP audit with zero findings and built foundational HR systems, policies, and compliance programs. Jill holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Development and Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Saint Louis University. She also maintains her PHR certification, has completed extensive professional training, and is certified in Predictive Index assessments. Jill is known for her strategic clarity, people‑first leadership style, and ability to build high‑performance cultures rooted in transparency, accountability, and trust. Her expertise will be instrumental as Imperial continues to strengthen its talent strategy, elevate employee experience, and support our next phase of growth. Please join me in welcoming Jill to Imperial. We are excited for the leadership, partnership, and change management expertise she will bring to our organization.   Jeremy CEO