Imperial, a headwear, apparel, and accessories manufacturer founded in 1916, names golf industry veteran David Shaffer as its new president. In his new role, Shaffer will manage Imperial’s golf, corporate, destination and leisure, direct-to-consumer (DTC), and licensing businesses.

“I am excited for my new position and the future of Imperial,” said Shaffer in a press statement. “Leading the Imperial brand and our team is an honor. I’m looking forward to developing our business, great products, and strong partnerships for years to come.”

Shaffer has been with Imperial for more than 13 years. He has held various positions at the company, including director of marketing, vice president of sales and marketing, and most recently senior vice president of sales. Shaffer also played a major role in the sale of Imperial to CPC in 2021, the acquisition of JT Spencer in 2022, the establishment of the Imperial Foundation in 2023, and the acquisition of Pukka in 2024.

“David is a dynamic executive with a strong track record of building the Imperial brand,” said Todd Johnson, CEO of Imperial. “He embodies all the qualities and characteristics we look for in a leader, as well as the Imperial brand. I have no doubt David will continue to grow our brand, while delivering value to our customers and positively impact the communities we serve.”

Shaffer is a Northwestern University graduate, with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Science in Marketing. He was also a NCAA Division I Scholarship Athlete on the men’s varsity golf team. Shaffer resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife Amy and three daughters: Addison, Hadley, and Reid.