Elliott Hill's rise to executive prominence at Nike is the stuff of corporate legend. He started as an intern in 1988 and after 30 years of dedication and a brief retirement, he's back to help lead the company he's called home for decades.

Nike's stock shot up after the news broke that Hill would replace John Donahoe as CEO. Hill is a familiar face at Nike, having held multiple roles at the company. He's done everything – from sales intern to VP positions and now the top job.

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Born in Austin, Texas, Hill credits his work ethic to his mother, a single mom who set an “unbelievable example in terms of commitment,” he told the FORTitude podcast, as quoted by Reuters. Hill's humble beginnings and relentless drive perfectly fit Nike's core values. He even joked on the podcast about how he once put 60,000 miles on an old Chrysler minivan, driving around to sell shoes in his early years at Nike.

Hill's loyalty to the brand isn't just in his job titles. Nike's Executive Chairman, Mark Parker, praised him in a statement for his decades of work, saying Hill helped shape Nike into "the magical place it is today." Hill himself is eager to reconnect with old colleagues and create new partnerships. He said, "Nike has always been a core part of who I am."

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Hill isn't just a corporate climber. He's also built strong relationships with Nike's key athletes, including Michael Jordan. Hill famously recalled Jordan joking about his global expansion plans for the Jordan brand, saying, “If our revenue goes back, I'm going to come and stuff that shoe up your rear," he said on the FORTitude podcast, as quoted by Reuters.

Analysts are optimistic, hoping Hill's deep roots at Nike will help revitalize the brand. Jessica Ramirez, an analyst at Jane Hali and Associates, didn't sugarcoat it when she told Reuters: “At Nike, the culture has fallen apart.”