361 Degrees has added industry veteran Isaac “Ike” Alvear to the team as head of sales.

Beginning August 1, 2018, Alvear will join the Orange County-based footwear brand responsible for overall sales in North America. The brand has experienced significant growth since its inception in 2014 and will look to Alvear to play a crucial role in creating dynamic and creative strategies to support future expansion.

Alvear brings more than 31 years of sales, product and marketing experience working for world-class brands in the athletic footwear industry including NIKE, ASICS and most recently HOKA ONE ONE. As one of the early pioneers of HOKA ONE ONE in the U.S., Alvear was critical in the staggering expansion of the brand from 2012 to 2017. Having started his career on the front lines in a specialty running store in Seattle, Alvear has since built a solid reputation within the footwear industry.

“I’ve been fortunate to have worked alongside Ike and have also strategized against him. However, I’m most excited about joining forces again. His vast footwear experience, along with his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen, is what the brand needs as we look towards our future goals,” said Jim Monahan, president, 361 Degrees.

Alvear will immediately work to strengthen and expand relationships with existing brand partners. He will also join the international leadership team to better develop a consumer-centric product strategy, a multi-level distribution strategy and help position the brand for long-term growth.

“I have come to love the challenge that only a truly authentic start-up like 361 Degrees can provide. There has never been a better time to be the new kid on the block. But what makes this brand unique is the innovative performance value for the end consumer as well as the profit value for the running specialty retailers. I’m excited to be joining the brand at this critical time and building an industry-leading sales team,” said Alvear.

For more information, please visit 361usa.com.