Surfwear Maker Fills Newly Created Position : Quiksilver Appoints Warner as Chairman, CEO

John C. Warner has been appointed to the newly created position of chairman and chief executive officer of Quiksilver Inc., a Costa Mesa surfwear manufacturer.

Warner joined Quiksilver in July, 1987, as a board member and vice president of sales. He previously held various management positions with May Department Stores in Denver.

A company spokesman said the position of chairman and chief executive was created as part of Quiksilver’s evolution from a private company. Warner will be in charge of the company’s operations.

Quiksilver was founded 12 years ago by Robert B. McKnight Jr., a surfer who has headed the company as president. McKnight will continue to hold that position and supervise the company’s marketing.

The company said Warner’s promotion is part of a plan to strengthen Quiksilver’s management structure and position the company for continued growth.