Edward 'Ed' W. Stack is an American businessman, the former CEO and current Executive Chairman and Chief Merchandising Officer (CMO) of Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS). Born in 1954 in Binghamton, New York, his career is rooted in the sporting goods industry, founded by his father, Richard 'Dick' Stack, in 1948.

Stack planned to become a lawyer, having received a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in accounting from St. John Fisher College in 1977. However, he opted to help run the family business after his father's health declined. In the early 1980s, Ed and his siblings bought the company from their father when it had only two locations in Upstate New York.

Edward Stack became Chairman and CEO in 1984, succeeding his father. His strategic vision transformed Dick's Sporting Goods from a regional chain into a national powerhouse with over 850 stores and annual revenue exceeding $12 billion. He established a board of directors, relocated the headquarters to Pittsburgh, and led the company through its IPO in 2002.

His career gained high-profile national attention for his gun control advocacy. Following the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Stack took a decisive, controversial stand, unilaterally ending the sale of assault-style rifles and raising the minimum age for gun sales to 21 across all Dick's Sporting Goods stores. He was succeeded as CEO by Lauren Hobart in February 2021, transitioning to Executive Chairman and CMO while remaining the largest individual shareholder. His wealth is tied to the long-term, stable growth of the specialty retail sector and his large equity stake.

Edward Stack's social impact is massive and structural, tied to his company's role as a major national employer and supplier of sports goods. His most significant impact is his high-profile advocacy for gun control, leveraging the company's retail platform to influence national policy on public safety.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives (e.g., KeyCorp, Seton Hall University boards), reflecting his commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility.

Edward Stack maintains the professional, composed style of a retail executive and civic leader. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits. His aesthetic reflects the stability and confident authority of a leader who successfully navigated a massive corporate transformation and a contentious public issue.

Residing in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is defined by his commitment to his family's retail legacy and his willingness to take a public stand on controversial issues.