PING continues to be a family company


By: December 13, 2016


John Karsten Solheim, the grandson of PING Founder Karsten Solheim will be the new president of PING from January 1, 2017. He succeeds Doug Hawken as president, who is retiring after a distinguished 45-year career with the company.

But who is John Karsten Solheim?

His father, John A. Solheim (PING Chairman and CEO) said “He’s been preparing for this role for the last several years and he’s ready to take the next step. Together with the other third- generation family members and our strong teams throughout the organization.”

So he is not new to the company at all:

  • Served as an executive vice president for the last 2 years after a 4-year assignment as president of PING Golf Japan, where he led a successful effort to re-position the PING brand throughout Japan and Asia.
  • Before Japan, he oversaw PING’s new product development efforts as vice president of engineering.

He will oversee the day-to-day activities of the company, including all functions related to product development, supply chain management, production and sales/marketing.

Ping has a new CEO