Portland, Oregon, January 5, 2026
Pendleton Woolen Mills has announced the appointment of Jennifer Ingraffea as its new CEO. With a focus on attracting younger consumers, Ingraffea aims to balance the company’s rich heritage with innovative strategies. Her leadership marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead the 162-year-old brand, bringing over 25 years of industry experience. This transition serves as a signal for businesses, especially in Myrtle Beach, on the importance of evolving while honoring foundational values for sustainable growth.
Portland, Oregon — In a significant move highlighting the dynamic landscape of American enterprise, Pendleton Woolen Mills, a name synonymous with quality and heritage, recently announced a pivotal leadership transition. The company welcomed Jennifer Ingraffea as its new Chief Executive Officer in July 2025. This strategic appointment underscores a commitment to entrepreneurial innovation, aiming to navigate a celebrated brand into its next chapter of growth and broader appeal.
Ingraffea’s vision for Pendleton, particularly her emphasis on attracting younger consumers, offers valuable lessons for Myrtle Beach SC business leaders and South Carolina entrepreneurs focused on long-term sustainability and expanding their market reach. This shift in leadership at a long-standing institution reflects a broader trend: businesses must continually evolve while cherishing their foundational strengths to achieve sustained economic growth.
Leadership and Innovation: A New Chapter for Pendleton
Jennifer Ingraffea brings an impressive quarter-century of experience in the retail, apparel, product merchandising, and management sectors to her role at Pendleton. Her career trajectory includes significant executive leadership positions, notably as Chief Product & Merchandising Officer at The North Face since October 2020, and nearly two decades at Nike, where she held various roles including Global VP of Kids Footwear. This background equips her with a deep understanding of consumer markets and product innovation.
Her appointment is particularly notable as she is the first woman to serve as CEO of the 162-year-old company and only the third individual from outside the founding Bishop family to hold the top leadership position. Ingraffea succeeds John Bishop, who transitioned to chairman of the board, ensuring a continuity of deep-rooted institutional knowledge alongside fresh strategic direction. This blend of experience and new perspectives is often critical for businesses looking to adapt and thrive in competitive environments, much like many Myrtle Beach small business entities.
Engaging Gen Z: A Strategic Imperative for Growth
A key focus of Ingraffea’s leadership is to attract new generations of customers, specifically Gen Z, to the Pendleton brand. This initiative highlights a common challenge faced by businesses with established customer bases: how to remain relevant and appealing to evolving demographics without alienating loyal patrons. For South Carolina entrepreneurs, understanding and adapting to the preferences of younger consumers is essential for cultivating new revenue streams and ensuring future viability.
The strategy involves a delicate balance of introducing compelling, market-relevant products while continuing to honor the preferences of existing customers. This approach is a testament to the dynamic nature of retail and the necessity for continuous market analysis and product development, an area where innovative small businesses often excel due to their agility.
Balancing Heritage with Forward-Thinking Vision
Pendleton Woolen Mills, founded in 1863, has a rich history and is known for its iconic woolen blankets, throws, knits, and shirts. Ingraffea has expressed a profound sense of responsibility to steward Pendleton’s iconic heritage, recognizing the company’s woolen mills in Oregon and Washington as central to its identity and a critical chapter in American manufacturing. This commitment to preserving core strengths while simultaneously seeking new pathways for growth exemplifies a balanced leadership approach.
Under previous leadership, Pendleton underwent a significant brand transformation, streamlining product lines and managing cost systems. Ingraffea aims to build upon this foundation, guiding the brand toward the full promise of its potential by leveraging its heritage while exploring new ways to elevate its offerings. This strategic foresight, which integrates tradition with innovation, is a powerful model for sustained resilience and economic growth.
Lessons for Myrtle Beach Small Businesses
The leadership transition at Pendleton offers several universal lessons for Myrtle Beach small business owners and aspiring South Carolina entrepreneurs. Ingraffea’s leadership philosophy is rooted in curiosity, continuous improvement, stewardship, and the building of high-integrity teams. These principles are foundational for any enterprise seeking to thrive in a competitive market.
Her emphasis on delivering market-relevant products and adapting to consumer evolution underscores the importance of staying connected to customer needs and preferences. For businesses in a vibrant tourist destination like Myrtle Beach, understanding diverse customer bases and offering innovative products and services is paramount for continued success and fostering local economic growth.
Fostering Economic Growth Through Entrepreneurial Spirit
The story of Pendleton’s new leadership illustrates how entrepreneurial spirit and strategic decision-making at the helm of a business can invigorate its trajectory. By focusing on both preserving a rich heritage and aggressively pursuing new markets, Pendleton aims to secure its position for future generations. This type of forward-thinking leadership directly contributes to job creation, fosters market activity, and bolsters the overall health of the economy.
For communities like Myrtle Beach, which rely heavily on a robust business ecosystem, the ability of leaders to identify opportunities, manage change, and inspire teams is invaluable. The pursuit of “compelling, market-relevant products” translates into increased consumer engagement and ultimately, a more prosperous local economy.
The evolution of Pendleton under Jennifer Ingraffea’s leadership provides a compelling example of how a blend of honoring a storied past with a keen eye on future opportunities can propel a business forward. For Myrtle Beach SC business owners, the principles of adapting to new demographics, fostering innovation, and maintaining core values are essential blueprints for achieving enduring success and contributing to the region’s dynamic economic growth.
We encourage our readers to support local businesses in Myrtle Beach as they continue to innovate and contribute to our community’s prosperity. Stay engaged with local economic developments and be a part of shaping Myrtle Beach’s vibrant future.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Jennifer Ingraffea’s role at Pendleton Woolen Mills?
- Jennifer Ingraffea was appointed CEO of Pendleton Woolen Mills in July 2025.
- Is Jennifer Ingraffea the first woman to lead Pendleton Woolen Mills?
- Yes, she is the first woman to serve as CEO of the 162-year-old company.
- What is Jennifer Ingraffea’s professional background?
- She brings over 25 years of experience in retail, apparel, product merchandising, and management, having previously served as Chief Product & Merchandising Officer at The North Face and holding executive leadership roles at Nike.
- What is a key goal of Jennifer Ingraffea’s leadership at Pendleton?
- A key goal is to attract new generations, specifically Gen Z, to the brand while honoring its loyal customers and heritage.
- When was Pendleton Woolen Mills founded?
- Pendleton Woolen Mills was founded in 1863.
Key Features of Pendleton’s New Direction
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| New CEO | Jennifer Ingraffea took office in July 2025. | Nationwide |
| Historic Appointment | First woman CEO and third non-family CEO in the company’s 162-year history. | Nationwide |
| Strategic Focus | Attracting Gen Z customers while maintaining appeal to loyal customers. | Nationwide |
| Leadership Experience | Over 25 years in retail, apparel, product merchandising, and management, with prior roles at The North Face and Nike. | Nationwide |
| Brand Philosophy | Balancing heritage (dating to 1863) with forward-thinking innovation and market relevance. | Nationwide |
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
