Gary Smith is Chief Executive Officer of The LYCRA Company, a global leader in innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company owns premium ingredient brands, including LYCRA®, COOLMAX®, and THERMOLITE®.
With over 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry, Mr. Smith is an accomplished business leader specializing in brand strategy, operational transformation, and global expansion. Prior to joining The LYCRA Company in 2023, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Hatteras Yachts Inc., where he led a successful turnaround and subsequent sale of the company. His previous roles included spearheading transformation initiatives as Chief Executive Officer of Polartec and serving as President of the Outdoor Group at The Timberland Company.
He currently serves as Chairman for HEXR, a London-based helmet safety start-up backed by Oxford Science Enterprises. HEXR’s revolutionary technology represents a breakthrough in mitigating rotational shear for cyclists, motorcyclists, and construction workers.
Mr. Smith holds a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Maine and a master of business administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College