Blake Nordstrom
President, Nordstrom

As president of Nordstrom, Inc., Blake Nordstrom has an extensive background in merchandising and company operations. The company’s Board of Directors appointed Blake president in August 2000.

A fourth generation family member, Blake began his career at an early age working in the stockroom of the downtown Seattle store. He worked in sales in Women’s Shoes through high school and later, while attending the University of Washington. In 1983, Blake began buying for the junior shoe division, Brass Plum Shoes, and held several other shoe buying positions in Washington and California. In 1987, he was named merchandise manager for the Shoe division for Nordstrom Rack, the Place Two division and the Alaska stores where he increased sales and supported buying for 19 stores. He achieved similar results the following year as merchandise manager for Women’s Shoes for the Full-Line Stores in Washington and Alaska.

After managing Nordstrom Hillsdale in San Mateo, Calif. in 1989, and then the downtown Seattle store in 1990, Blake was appointed vice president and general manager of the Washington and Alaska region in 1991. As general manager, Blake supported operations of eight Full-Line Stores, two Nordstrom Rack stores, and the Place Two division. He was named co-president in 1995 with responsibilities including operations, the Shoe division and Nordstrom Rack. Later he also took on the role to support the Credit division. In 2000, Blake assumed the position of president for the Nordstrom Rack group, supporting all aspects of store operations, expansion and marketing prior to becoming president of Nordstrom, Inc. in August 2000.

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