John Hazen

Chief Executive Officer Boot Barn

Last Reviewed: September 30, 2026

Executive Summary

John Hazen is Chief Executive Officer and a director of Boot Barn Holdings, the Irvine, California retailer of western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He came to the company in 2018 as Chief Digital Officer, was named Interim CEO when his predecessor left in November 2024, and was appointed to the role permanently in May 2025. His path to the top job ran through e-commerce and direct-to-consumer work rather than store operations or merchandising. In fiscal 2026, his first full year in charge, Boot Barn’s net sales rose 17.9% to $2.254 billion and it opened 80 new stores.

Career Highlights

• Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Boot Barn Holdings effective May 5, 2025; the board said it reached a unanimous decision after a search process.
• Served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer from November 2024 to May 2025.
• Chief Digital Officer of Boot Barn from 2018 until 2024.
• Fiscal 2026: net sales up 17.9% to $2.254 billion, same store sales up 7.2%, e-commerce same store sales up 15.3%, and 80 new stores, taking the chain to 539.
• Previously SVP of Commerce and Subscriptions at Ring (2017 to 2018) and SVP of Direct To Consumer at True Religion (2014 to 2017).
• Holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University in Montreal and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University.

Professional Journey

Hazen’s career has run for more than 20 years through apparel and footwear, according to Boot Barn’s filings, with positions at Kellwood, Nike and Fox Racing. From 2014 to 2017 he was Senior Vice President of Direct To Consumer at True Religion, where he oversaw both the brick-and-mortar and digital channels. He then spent a year as SVP of Commerce and Subscriptions at Ring.

He joined Boot Barn in 2018 as Chief Digital Officer. The company sells western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories to men, women and children.

In October 2024, Boot Barn’s then President and CEO, James G. Conroy, gave notice that he would resign to pursue a different opportunity, effective November 22, 2024. The board named Hazen Interim Chief Executive Officer from that date while it ran an internal and external search, and made Chairman Peter Starrett Executive Chairman to support the transition. On May 5, 2025, the board appointed Hazen Chief Executive Officer. Announcing the appointment, Hazen said the company would remain focused on its four strategic growth initiatives. He also joined the board in 2025, and stockholders re-elected him as a director at the August 2026 annual meeting.

The first full fiscal year under his leadership, ended March 28, 2026, brought net sales of $2.254 billion, up 17.9%, with net income up 25% to $225.9 million and 80 new stores opened. The company reported further growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with net sales up 17.7% to $593.5 million, and by mid-September 2026 it operated 577 stores in 49 states.

Education

Concordia University, Montreal

Bachelor of Commerce, Management Information Systems

Loyola Marymount University

Master of Business Administration