Early Life and Education
Edward W. Stack was born in Binghamton, New York, in 1955. He is the son of Richard "Dick" Stack, who founded Dick's Sporting Goods in 1948. Stack received a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in accounting from St. John Fisher College in 1977. He considered a career in law but joined the family business when his father's health declined.
Rise to Success
Edward and his siblings purchased Dick's Sporting Goods from their father in the early 1980s, when the company had only two locations. Stack took over as chairman and CEO in 1984 and subsequently established a board of directors. He spearheaded the expansion of Dick's, opening more stores and relocating the headquarters to Pittsburgh in 1994. Stack led the company through its initial public offering in 2002.
Key Business Strategies
Under Edward Stack's leadership, Dick's Sporting Goods became the largest sporting goods retailer in the United States, with over 800 stores by 2023. The company expanded through various subsidiaries, including Golf Galaxy and Public Lands. Stack implemented key business strategies to enhance the brand. In 2018, in response to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Stack made a decision to stop selling assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. He also raised the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21.
Philanthropy
While specific details about Edward Stack's philanthropy are not extensively available, the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation supports community initiatives. Public Lands, a subsidiary of Dick's, donates 1% of its sales to the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation's Public Lands Fund to promote conservation and outdoor activities. Stack has also supported education through gifts to Pace University.