Robert Baird

Robert's career has spanned a wide range of roles within leading Consumer Products Companies as CEO, President, General Manager, and other business building roles with AT Cross, Dorel Sports (Cannondale, Schwinn, etc.), Royal Philips Electronics, Egon Zehnder, Samsonite, and Procter & Gamble, where he started as a classically trained Product Manager. His successful background leading businesses and brands across multiple categories and geographies in exceptionally challenging economic and competitive situations has earned him a well-deserved reputation for driving profitable growth for brands, companies, shareholders, and employees.

Robert joined A.T. Cross, based in Providence, Rhode Island in 2015 as CEO. Founded in 1846, Cross products are sold in 120 countries through omnichannel distribution, including fine department, specialty stores, mass retailers, direct to consumer, and through the corporate gift channel.

Prior to A.T. Cross, for six years he was Group President and CEO of Dorel Sports, the world's leading bike portfolio company with such brands as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Iron Horse, and SUGOI sold in more than 100 countries around the world. He was also on Dorel's Board of Directors prior to joining the company full time.

Prior to Dorel, Robert worked for Philips Electronics, the Dutch-based conglomerate. From 2006, he was Chairman of the International Retail Board, managing $7 billion in global customers. From 2002, he was President and CEO of Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care (DAP) located in Stamford, Connecticut. Previous to Philips, from 1999 Bob was a consultant in the New York office of Egon Zehnder International with practice specialties in the consumer products industry and marketing management.

Preceding his tenure as a consultant, Robert was the Vice President & General Manager at Samsonite, where he was responsible for their largest business and setting their global strategy. Prior to Samsonite, he worked in various consumer goods companies in positions of increasing responsibility, including General Motors, Scott Paper, Bristol Myers, and Procter & Gamble. He started his career at General Electric in Finance and is a graduate of their Financial Management Program.

Robert holds an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School, a B.A. from St. Lawrence University. He is the Chairman of the U.S. Board for SOS Children's Villages, the world's largest charity for orphaned and abandoned kids, caring for over 80,000 children across 550 villages. He is also active in the CEO and YPO organizations. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island where he spends his time running, cycling, playing ice hockey and practicing yoga.