Black Diamond Equipment created ten new middle and upper level positions to enhance innovation and streamline efficiencies. Black Diamonds recent growth, and confidence in its continued growth, has led to the hiring of talented, experienced professionals whose passions are in line with those that define the company climbing and skiing.
Two new development positions have been added. As Senior Softgoods Product Developer, David Schipper, brings a wealth of design experience to Black Diamond. Most recently the president of Outdoor Labs, an independent consulting firm, Schipper has designed outerwear for the North Face, underwear for Smartwool and packs for Salomon. A skier and alpinist whos lived, worked and climbed around the world, Schipper comes to BD following an attempt on K2.
Working closely with both the design teams and key vendors, Chris Pietrzak, who has taken Black Diamonds newest Development position, will refine and bring to market a range of new helmets, ski poles and trekking poles. Formerly with Specialized, USA, Pietrzak is a competitive skier and cyclist.
Efficiency is Black Diamonds sustainer, and the four new positions dedicated to streamlining procedures will ensure that it remains so. Lauri Wilder will serve as Black Diamonds Demand Manager, a position that will tap into her expertise in global sales forecasting and supply chain synchronization. An avid runner and climber, Lauri comes to Black Diamond from Petzl, USA.
As Black Diamonds Technical Operations Engineer, Mike Musenbrock is tasked with process and quality improvement for various production methodologies. A climber and skier most recently at Graco, Inc., Musenbrocks considerable experience in high volume advanced machining operations makes him perfect for the job.
Matt Sutton joins Black Diamond as a Process Engineer with focuses on evaluating and improving finishing procedures and enhancing production of the Avalung. Suttons background in Mechanical Engineering, as well as his dedication to skiing and climbing, prepared him for his new role at Black Diamond.
Black Diamonds Management Information Systems Director, Josh Dees, is responsible for developing the computer infrastructure that supports Black Diamond. Dees is an active climber who managed the Climb Time rock gym in Ohio before moving West. Dees also served as a shop supervisor at Black Diamond in the mid-1990s, directing the production of ice axes and crampons. After leaving BD to develop software for Boeing, Dees returns with extensive software architectural and implementation experience.
Software Developer, Brent Woods, is charged with implementing and testing software applications to support Black Diamonds growing business needs. He was most recently an Educational Software Developer at The Waterford School. Woods is a passionate snowboarder – both on and off piste.
In Europe, Black Diamond has added two positions to support double-digit growth in sales. A gifted climber and boulderer who regularly sends 5.13, Kathi Krause comes to Black Diamond Europe from the marketing department of Berghaus in the United Kingdom. As European PR Coordinator, Krause is tasked with building Black Diamonds presence in various countries, including Spain, Italy, Sweden and Norway.
As European Sales Manager, David Ledouble will put to use the skills he honed over 10 years as the International Sales Manager for Julbo. With a degree in International Sales from Strasbourg Business School, Ledouble spends his winters skiing, his summers alpine climbing and all seasons chasing after his two young sons.
Andre Otto hails from the former East German city of Thuringen, and comes to Black Diamond Europe as an accounting wiz and a dedicated climber. While assisting the European Controller, Michel Silbernagel, with ITS systems, Otto will spend a month learning the ropes at BD Headquarters in Salt Lake City.
