Oronde Gadsden - Director
Perhaps best known for his acrobatic one-handed receptions as the starting wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, Oronde Gadsden has also left his mark as one of the premier entrepreneurs of the NFL, joining the ranks of Carl Banks of G-III, and Drew Pearson of the Drew Pearson Company, who have gone on to own their own successful apparel companies following their professional football careers. Gadsden earned his Bachelor of Science in Business, Sports Management and Marketing in 1995 on a full 4 year scholarship from Winston Salem State in 1995. Over 3 seasons, he lead the team as the starting wide receiver with 56 receptions for 1,111 yards and 16 Touchdowns. He also lead the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association with 19.8 yard reception average.
Following 2 seasons with the Superbowl Champion Dallas Cowboys, Gadsden played for the Portland Dragons, of the Arena Football League, where he won the AFL Rookie of the Year Honors in 1998, after posting 93 Receptions for 1,335 yards, for a whopping 38 Touchdowns. The following year he joined the Miami Dolphins where he quickly became the starting wide receiver and favorite target of Dan Marino. Over his 7 year career with the Miami Dolphins, Gadsden posted 227 receptions, for 3252 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also lead the team with 10 games over 100 yards receiving during that time. Gadsden also had 2 remarkable one-handed receptions nominated for ESPY Awards and pictured in NFL Hall of Fame.
In 2000, while still a member of the Miami Dolphins, Gadsden launched his own clothing label named Original Gear, which featured urban active wear apparel including a collection of very successful “throwback-style” football, baseball and basketball jerseys. OG’s Original Gear enjoyed immediate local success, and quickly attracted national attention landing in Federated Department Stores Macy’s divisions from the South East (Atlanta) to the Northwest (Seattle), along with numerous urban stores, sporting goods and boutiques in between. Oronde and his business partners knew they had a formula for building a successful apparel brand, and quickly proved themselves with Original Gear’s rapid maturation into a widely distributed and recognized brand.
All directors are elected annually and serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Officers serve at the direction of the board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers.