01 My Purpose

Lessons from the Track

Bill Bowerman’s words, shared with me during my freshman year at the University of Oregon, were the first to make me seriously reflect on purpose—both as an individual and as part of a team. Back then, my days were defined by a dual focus: pushing myself academically in Math and Computer Science, and competing against some of the best middle-distance runners in the world. I was learning how to learn, and learning how to compete.

“Running, one might say, is basically an absurd pastime upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning in the kind of running you have to do to stay on this team, chances are you will be able to find meaning in another absurd pastime: life.” — Bill Bowerman

02 Our Heritage and Our Dreams

Nike’s Defining Moment

Nike’s official birthday—May 1, 1972—marked a turning point in our story. That was the day Phil Knight received word from Onitsuka that Blue Ribbon Sports would no longer be the exclusive U.S. distributor for Tiger shoes.

Phil Knight in Doorway (1971, with Jim Ryun and Steve Prefontaine)

Phil gathered a small team of about 30 employees and reframed what could have been a crisis into an opportunity, his message was clear.

“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. No more selling someone else’s brand. No more working for someone else. If we’re going to succeed or fail, we should do so on our own terms, with our own ideas, with our own brand. Let’s not look at this as a crisis. Let’s look at this as our liberation. Our Independence Day.”

03 Career Talk

March 4, 2025 – I hosted the inaugural in-person Steve's Corner in Prefontaine Hall's Eugene Auditorium. The theme was "Career Talk."

The Inspiration Behind Steve's Corner

For months, Luis Nava (my manager), Casey Cole (his admin), and Jessica Wallans from Air MI Comms encouraged me to bring Steve's Corner to life. While writing my book 1972 came naturally, crafting the first blog for this series felt daunting. However, stepping on stage with Nike legend Nelson Farris and moderator Jessica Wallans felt like the perfect start.

A Century of Nike Experience

Nelson and I share a combined 100 years at Nike—he with 52 years and me nearing 48. Our career journeys were unconventional. Nelson began at a retail store in Los Angeles, while I started in I.T. fresh out of college before transitioning to Footwear Production. Over the years, Nelson moved to Europe, and I worked in Asia and Maine. Despite different paths, our shared adventures built lifelong friendships and relationships.

04 Coaching Talk

On April 1, 2025, I hosted the second Steve's Corner session in the Olympia Theater on the 7th floor of the Serena Williams building. This time, the focus was Coaching, and I had the privilege of speaking with Nike’s I.T. Leadership team.

The Event

Jen Hill and Jeff Rich invited me to share insights with their global leadership team of over 300 leaders. Around 40 attended live on campus, while others joined via Zoom across various time zones.

05 Future of Technology

April 9, 2025 - I was invited to speak with a visiting group from the Society for Information Management (SIM) during their Student Day at Nike. SIM is the world’s foremost nonprofit membership association for technology executives and industry leaders, dedicated to developing, enabling, and empowering exceptional IT leadership through networking, knowledge sharing, and leadership development. Their mission is to bring together IT professionals to share best practices, mentor the next generation, and advance the value of technology within organizations. I believe SIM chose to visit Nike to give students and early-career professionals a firsthand look at how technology and leadership intersect at a company known for innovation and transformation.

06 North America Supply Chain Talk

April 15, 2025 - On a beautiful Oregon morning, five busloads of Nike’s North America Marketplace Supply Chain team, comprising 225 employees led by Murali Kandasamy, embarked on a journey southward to Eugene. This was more than a corporate outing—it was a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Nike, a chance to walk in the footsteps of legends such as Bill Bowerman, Phil Knight, and Steve Prefontaine, and reconnect with our company’s storied heritage.

07 50th Prefontaine Classic

It was May 30th, 1975. A ringing phone jarred me awake at six o’clock. The call was from a former teammate, and his words hit me like a punch to the gut: “Pre’s dead.”

I sat there in stunned silence, trying to process what I had just heard. Less than twelve hours earlier, I had been at Hayward Field—not just as a spectator, but as a competitor.

08 Balance in Work and Life

April 17, 2025 – A Nike move to a new country can be as exhilarating as it is daunting. When I heard that Demaree Raveaux and her family were about to begin their adventure in Taiwan, I couldn’t help but share my own journey there nearly five decades ago. Back then, my wife Mary and I were just starting out, 24 years old – full of anticipation, excitement, and, to be honest, a some uncertainty.

Transitions like these are more than just a change of scenery; they introduce new rhythms, new challenges, and lessons you can’t always anticipate. If there’s one thing I’ve learned – which I wanted to pass along – it’s that navigating culture shock is a part of the journey, and finding a healthy work-life balance isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential.