Nike 2003 Annual Report Download - page 9

distinguishing our goods from the goods of others. We consider our NIKE®and Swoosh Design®trademarks to
be among our most valuable assets and we have registered these trademarks in over 100 countries. In addition,
we own many other trademarks that we utilize in marketing our products. We continue to vigorously protect our
trademarks against infringement.
NIKE has an exclusive, worldwide license to make and sell footwear using patented “Air” technology. The
process utilizes pressurized gas encapsulated in polyurethane. Some of the early NIKE AIR®patents have
expired, which may enable competitors to use certain types of similar technology. Subsequent NIKE AIR patents
will not expire for several years. We also have a number of patents covering components and features used in
various athletic and leisure shoes. We believe that our success depends primarily upon skills in design, research
and development, production and marketing rather than upon our patent position. However, we have followed a
policy of filing applications for United States and foreign patents on inventions, designs and improvements that
we deem valuable.
Employees
We had approximately 23,300 employees at May 31, 2003. Management considers its relationship with
employees to be excellent. None of our employees are represented by a union, with the exception of Bauer NIKE
Hockey Inc. Of Bauer NIKE Hockey’s North American employees, approximately 74 percent, or approximately
550, are covered by three union collective bargaining agreements with three separate bargaining units, and all of
Bauer NIKE Hockey’s approximately 210 non-immigrant employees in Italy are covered by three collective
bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreements expire on various dates from 2003 through 2005.
There has never been a material interruption of operations due to labor disagreements.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The executive officers of NIKE as of July 25, 2003 are as follows:
Philip H. Knight, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and President — Mr. Knight, 65, a
director since 1968, is a co-founder of NIKE and, except for the period from June 1983 through September 1984,
served as its President from 1968 to 1990, and from June 2000 to present. Prior to 1968, Mr. Knight was a
certified public accountant with Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand and was an Assistant Professor of
Business Administration at Portland State University.
Donald W. Blair, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer — Mr. Blair, 45, joined NIKE in November
1999. Prior to joining NIKE, he held a number of financial management positions with Pepsico, Inc., including
Vice President, Finance of Pepsi-Cola Asia, Vice President, Planning of PepsiCo’s Pizza Hut Division, and
Senior Vice President, Finance of The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. Prior to joining Pepsico, Mr. Blair was a
certified public accountant with Deloitte, Haskins, and Sells.
Thomas E. Clarke, President of New Ventures — Dr. Clarke, 52, a director since 1994, joined the Company
in 1980. He was appointed divisional Vice President in charge of marketing in 1987, elected corporate Vice
President in 1989, appointed General Manager in 1990, and served as President and Chief Operating Officer
from 1994 to 2000. Dr. Clarke previously held various positions with the Company, primarily in research, design,
development and marketing. Dr. Clarke holds a doctorate degree in biomechanics.
Wesley A. Coleman, Vice President, Global Human Resources — Mr. Coleman, 53, has been employed by
Nike since 2002 in his current role. Prior to joining Nike, he held a number of Human Resource positions over a
20-year period with S.C. Johnson and Sons, Inc., including Vice President HR, North America and Vice
President HR, Asia/Pacific.
Charles D. Denson, President of the NIKE Brand — Mr. Denson, 47, has been employed by NIKE since
February 1979. Mr. Denson held several positions within the Company, including his appointments as Director
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