California DECA was honored to have the Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc.,George Zimmer, as the keynote speaker at the 2011 State Career Development Conference. His keynote address was a fitting way to kick off our 60^th Anniversary State Career Development Confernece which was held March 3-6, 2011 in Santa Clara, California.  Mr. Zimmer received a standing ovation from the audience of almost 1,000 DECA members and advisors as he shared his story of entrepreneurial success.

George Zimmer is the well dressed CEO seen on TV for years, and is famous for ending his commercials by saying, “You’re going to like the way you look, I guarantee it.”

Mr. Zimmer is the perfect speaker to help California DECA celebrate its 60^th anniversary.  He’s an American Enterprise success story who got his start as a teacher and then joined his father in the fashion business.  He worked in purchasing and sales in the clothing business before launching the first Men’s Wearhouse in Texas in 1973.  Today there are over 1300 stores across the nation and we’re proud to call Men’s Wearhouse one of our best DECA corporate partners as well.
Men’s Wearhouse is a DECA National Advisory Board member and partners with California DECA by judging, exhibiting, and presenting workshops at our district and state competitions and recently speaking at the Southern California Career Development Conference in January. The company also speaks in local DECA programs by presenting an Interviewing Skills and Professional Image session. As part of the presentation, Men’s Wearhouse donates 40 ties to each DECA chapter in Northern California to help students with their professional dress for DECA competitions.  California DECA thanks Men’s Wearhouse for its support of DECA members and chapters and looks forward to celebrating our 60^th anniversary with its CEO, George Zimmer, as our State Career Development Conference keynote speaker!
George Zimmer opened the first Men’s Wearhouse in 1973 in Houston, TX.  Since then, Zimmer has led the company, The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc., through every phase of its growth.  The Company now operates over 1,200 stores with more than $2 billion in sales.  Under Zimmer’s leadership, the company has become the largest retailer of men’s tailored suits, dress casual clothing and tuxedo rentals in the U.S. and Canada.  Zimmer personally grew with his company from an initial sales employee of a single store to a broad strategic corporate thinker and visionary.
He attributes much of the company’s success to integrating his Servant Leadership values into the corporate culture.  These core corporate values of collective trust, honesty, respect, integrity, authenticity, celebration, good will and caring for each other stand side-by-side with other essential principles like hard work, accountability, loyalty and commitment to customer service. The resulting high quality work environment inspires employees to deliver a shopping experience that enables Mr. Zimmer to confidently say “I guarantee it” in the company’s television and radio advertisements.
Zimmer is a rare example of a company co-founder, entrepreneur, TV icon and CEO who has transitioned his company over the years to over $2 billion in sales and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.  His humanity developed simultaneously with the growth of his business acumen which, together, created a Fortune 1000 company with a corporate culture that has been recognized as one of FORTUNE Magazines 100 Best Companies to Work For in America in 8 of the last 9 years.