IN FOCUS: IAN WILLIAMS

13 June, 2012 02:17pm | Posted in Nike | No Comments »

While at Nike World Headquarters, I met up with Ian Williams, Footwear Developer for Core Performance, but more known as the inspiration behind the Wet Floor Dunk SBs. But Williams’ story is a truly special one. Before he became a Footwear Developer, he was a Custodian over at the World Headquarters. Like most of us, Ian’s a sneakerhead, and he was set on making his dreams come true of working for the Swoosh, even it means that he had to start with scrubbing floors and cleaning buildings.

While on the job, he met a lot of interesting people and really built relationships all over the Campus. Ian’s personality made it easy for people to gravitate towards him and it took off from there. Upon meeting Ian, he asked me if I took the “real tour” of Nike Campus, I told him where I went and he brought me “around” Campus. Ofcourse off limits areas were still off limits (NSRL, Tinker’s Innovation Kitchen, etc.) but we practically swung by every other office and cubicle that was worth checking out. As we were going around Campus, hanging around Ian felt like hanging around the mayor! He was talking everybody up and everybody had nothing but smiles for Mr. Williams.

Our last stop was his department’s floor. As you can see here, the place is like a kid’s room. Nerf guns, toys, and kicks are all over the place, but they definitely get work done. Ian’s department takes care of the entry level product that is available worldwide, giving the Swoosh that stronghold in the footwear industry.

I would’ve stayed longer at Nike Campus but people needed to get things done. Thanks again to Ian for bringing me around and giving me an insider’s look at what goes on behind the Swoosh.