Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith is the fourth President & CEO of L.L.Bean, a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Since he joined in 2016 as the first executive to assume this role from outside the company, L.L.Bean’s revenue has grown by 13% – reaching $1.8 billion in 2022. In this period, retail expanded from 45 to 56 stores in the U.S. and the company launched a new retail presence in Canada, along with its first domestic wholesale partnerships. From 2016-2019, Stephen joined L.L.Bean family owners and the Board of Directors in overseeing a significant change agenda that included a systems transformation, new brand positioning and revised product assortment, and profitability improvements. In the midst of the pandemic from 2020 through 2022, Stephen led L.L.Bean to its three back-to-back best years in company history, sparking a period of growth enabled by earlier years of transformation. During this time, the company also embarked on a three-pronged strategy to grow market share, further their social impact through sustainability and DEI investments, and drive people and culture initiatives. With Stephen at the helm of L.L.Bean, the brand has significantly advanced its Purpose to inspire and enable people to experience the restorative power of being outside. Prior to L.L.Bean, Stephen held a variety of senior leadership positions across sales, marketing, merchandising, and general management in the U.S., Belgium, China and the United Kingdom – for companies including the Delhaize Group, Asda Stores Limited and Walmart. Active in the local community, Stephen and his family have deep ties to Maine and enjoy spending time in the state’s great outdoors. He serves on the Board of Directors of WEX Inc. and the Retail Industry Leaders Association and is a Board Trustee for Dickinson College.