Nike President Tom Clarke named chief of new ventures

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Nike yesterday named company President Tom Clarke chief of new business ventures for the athletic shoe and clothing maker, leaving Chairman and founder Phil Knight with the added title of president.

The Clarke position was created to put additional horsepower behind company growth plans, Knight said.

Clarke, 48, joined Nike in 1980 and has been president and chief operating officer since 1994. He takes over as president of new business ventures June 1.

The change will mean that Knight will be more involved in day-to-day management, said spokeswoman Corby Casler.