L.L.Bean Names New President and CEO

The Maine-based outdoor apparel and clothing brand has announced its leadership transition plans for 2026.

In a move that will roll out throughout the early months of 2026, the company announced it will be promoting from within.

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In a press release issued in January, L.L.Bean announced that Greg Elder has been promoted to president and chief executive officer following a comprehensive internal and external search.

Elder, who has been with the company for nearly 20 years and most recently served as chief retail officer, will lead the next phase of growth through an ‘evolve and amplify' strategy that builds on L.L.Bean’s 114-year legacy of quality, customer service, and outdoor heritage.

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The transition will begin in Q1 as the company wraps its fiscal year in late February, with outgoing CEO Stephen Smith remaining on board in an advisory role through March.

This follows Smith working closely with Greg Elder for more than a decade across several senior leadership positions.

Shawn Gorman, chairman of the board of L.L.Bean and great-grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, said the company was deliberate in finding a leader.

Gorman went on to say they wanted a leader who would honor the brand’s heritage while positioning it for the next era of growth, citing Elder’s deep respect for the company’s history, strong results, and clear vision for the future.

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And there you have it! L.L.Bean has revealed it is promoting from within, naming Greg Elder as the company’s next President and CEO.

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