Kevin Plank is one of the American celebrities that cannot be quickly forgotten by following his outstanding creative skills and business acumen. He is the founder, president and CEO of the Baltimore-based sportswear line called Under Armour. The American billionaire started making strides in the business world right from college and today. His company has grown into a world-class brand, with over 15,000 employees and generating over $65 billion a year. Keep reading to find out his biography, family, and other interesting facts about the CEO of Under Armor.
Biography of Under Armor CEO
Kevin Plank was born in Kensington, Maryland in the United States on August 13, 1972. He grew up in a central Catholic family and is the youngest of five children born to William Plank and his wife Jayne Plank. Her father was a property developer while her mother was a politician and the former mayor of Kensington under President Ronald Reagan.
While growing up, Plank played football with the Maplewood Sports Association’s Maplewood team. He attended St John’s College High School and graduated in 1990. Upon graduation, he joined the Fork Union Military Academy where he played football the following year. When he left the academy, he continued his studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. While there, Plank was roommates with Darren Drozdov and the duo played soccer with the Maryland soccer team until graduating in 1996 when he earned a bachelor’s degree in business Administration.
Career
During his days at the University of Maryland, Kevin Plank began to develop his business acumen and his first business was selling roses to lovers on Valentine’s Day. Plank made over $17,000 from his rose business, which helped him launch his clothing line called Under Armour. The star originally started Under Armor following his quest as a football player to produce sportswear that could wick sweat away from the body.
He first started the business in his grandmother’s townhouse located in Georgetown in 1999; the company saw significant improvement after posting an ad in sports magazine ESPN. After the announcement, his company achieved direct sales of $1 million and in 2010; they reached $1 billion in annual revenue. Plank became a billionaire the following year and his net worth was estimated at $1.05 billion. Currently, the company generates over $5 billion a year and employs up to 15,800 people.
Additionally, Plank purchased a 530-acre Sagamore Farm from Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt in 2007. The historic farm is located in Baltimore County, Maryland, and was once used for horse racing. He revived the farm and the competition. At present, it has more than a hundred horses, of which about 40 are actively training for the race. He also has other investments and businesses including the Whiskey Distillery, Sagamore Pendry Hotel, and Inner Harbor Water Taxi, among others.
Additionally, Kevin Plank has recorded a few awards in his name. He won Performance of the Year and was inducted into the Sporting Goods Hall of Fame in 2017. Plank was ranked 16th in Business magazine’s list of the 50 most influential people in sports. Business Journal and The United States Small Business Administration in 2016. He ranked #4 on the list of the 20 Most Powerful CEOs – 40 and Under in 2013, among others.
Kevin Plank’s wife and family
Just like his successful businesses, the multi-talented business mogul is also successful in his love life. Plank is a married man and a proud father of two children. He was attached to the love of his life and his high school sweetheart named Désirée Guerzon. Guerzon is of Filipino descent but was born and raised in the United States. She graduated in nursing from Georgetown University.
The amazing couple reportedly started their relationship around 1993 and after nine years of a successful relationship; they sealed their love in a wedding ceremony. They exchanged their wedding vows in the presence of family and friends at a lavish wedding held in 2003. Three years after their marriage; the couple welcomed their first bundle of joy, a son named Kevin James Plank and subsequently; a girl named Katherine Plank. Kevin Plank currently resides in Lutherville, Maryland with his amazing family.