CHATSWORTH, Calif. — Nick Orlandino, CEO and chairman of Diamond Products, told XBIZ that effective immediately, he is retiring from the industry after 35 years.
“I just feel like it is time,” Orlandino said. “It’s time for me to relax, enjoy the fruits of my labor and spend time with my family.”
With plans to move back to his home state of New York, Orlandino said he hasn’t made any immediate decisions regarding who will take the helm of Diamond Products’ portfolio of illustrious brands that includes the Pipedream Products, Jimmyjane and Sir Richard’s Condom Company.
As a Diamond Products shareholder, Orlandino says he’ll “still be involved to some point” with the company and the ANME Show, but is unsure to what extent.
Likening his retirement to that of an athlete, Orlandino said that he wants to retire in a blaze of glory, on his own terms.
“I’ve put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears at Pipedream,” he said. “A lot of my contemporaries have passed away, and the industry has changed a lot — it’s not fun anymore.”
Orlandino isn’t ruling out a possible return to the biz that he worked so hard to build.
“I’m not saying I’m done,” he said. “I just need to chill for a little bit.”
Orlandino got his start in the adult and gift industry unloading trucks for Forum Novelties in New York at age 15 and eventually worked his way up to general manager. In 1992, he relocated to Los Angeles and joined Pipedream Products as vice president of sales and marketing. In 1994, he became a partner in the corporation and currently runs all day-to-day operations at Pipedream.
In 1996, Orlandino founded the Adult Novelty Manufacturers Expo, the industry's first and largest business-to-business trade show, which he still currently manages. In 1999, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Free Speech Coalition, where he served as Treasurer for four years. In recognition of an outstanding career as CEO of Pipedream Products, Orlandino is included in the 2008/2009 Princeton Premier Registry, where he is listed among the most accomplished business leaders and professionals.
In January 2014, Orlandino received his eighth leadership award when he was named Free Speech Coalition's 2014 Man of the Year. The award recognized Orlandino's lifelong contributions to the adult industry and honored him for his 30 years of service. Shortly after, Orlandino wan honored with the iconic Industry Pioneer Award by XBIZ magazine, which recognized and celebrated his illustrious career in the adult novelty industry.
