Jim Heiden and Jeff Weidman, well-respected members of the outdoor industry, announced that they have formed the Heiden/Weidman Group to help outdoor, paddling, cycling and ski companies identify and implement socially and environmentally responsible business solutions. As strong proponents of sustainability, Weidman and Heiden believe that “the only possible guarantee of the future is responsible behavior in the present.”
In addition, the Heiden/Weidman Group aims to help companies in the outdoor industry improve their business practices with an eye toward improving the bottom line. “It has become very clear that there needs to be a transfer of knowledge from one generation of business people to the next,” said Weidman. “Its a shame to see mistakes made that could be so easily prevented by simple mentoring in advance. Jim and I have a lot to share and starting this company is the first step. We look forward to helping manufacturers, retailers, and reps achieve their goals and avoid the same costly mistakes we have already made or have witnessed.”
Together Heiden and Weidman have over 80 years of experience in the outdoor industry. After getting his start in retail, Weidman worked as a sales representative for Yakima, Pearl Izumi, JanSport, Cascade Designs and other leading companies before buying Rutabaga Paddlesports, the leading independent paddling store in the United States. Weidman previously was a board member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and now serves on the board of directors for Big City Mountaineers, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of urban teens through outdoor experiences.
Heiden is the founder of Teko Socks, the worlds leading manufacturer of environmentally friendly, high-performance socks made from recycled and organic materials. Previously, Heiden founded Banana Equipment, one of the first companies to make GORE-TEX fabric clothing, as well as Leading Edge. He also served as Director of Products for Performance Bicycle; Marketing Manager for Nike, Inc.; General Partner for InterSource, LLC, which sourced products for Lands End, REI, Moonstone Mountaineering, Trek, Orvis and L.L.Bean; and as the first V.P. for Montbell America, where he set up the companys U.S. operations. Heiden started his career in the early 1970s as a manager at Midwest Mountaineering.
