The last name of Carhartt's current chairman is Valade. Mark Valade serves as the company's executive chairman and remains part of the family dynasty that has guided Carhartt since its founding.
Carhartt was established in Detroit in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt, who began by making durable work clothing for railroad laborers. Ownership has remained with Hamilton Carhartt's descendants, and the Valade family became central to the company's leadership through Robert C. Valade and his descendants.
A common mix-up is answering “Carhartt,” which is the company name rather than the chairman's surname. Another is confusing the chairman with the chief executive: Linda Hubbard became Carhartt's first non-family president in 2013 and assumed the CEO title in 2024, while Mark Valade remained executive chairman.
The family-owned structure is unusual for a major American workwear brand. Carhartt still sells traditional duck-canvas garments, denim overalls and coveralls, while its licensed Carhartt WIP label serves a more fashion-oriented market internationally.