REI Co-op promoted Michelle Kirkpatrick to vice president, controller and Ruchi Christensen to vice president of distribution and fulfillment operations.
Kirkpatrick joined the co-op nearly ten years ago and, most recently, was the company’s divisional vice president, controller. She now oversees the co-op’s accounting, treasury, procurement, and tax teams in her expanded role. Kirkpatrick also leads REI’s strategic enterprise resource planning (ERP) initiative.
Christensen has worked for REI since 2021 as divisional vice president of distribution and fulfillment operations. In her new role, Christensen will provide strategic direction to the co-op’s fulfillment centers and supply chain team to optimize productivity, inventory management, business readiness, and financial results. REI’s newest distribution center will open later this summer in Lebanon, TN, supporting over “70 REI stores” and intended to reduce shipping time to consumers, with “nearly 5.6 million REI members living in the service area.”
“Michelle and Ruchi are both widely trusted leaders who have been instrumental in keeping co-op growth initiatives and operations running smoothly and efficiently,” said Kelley Hall, executive vice president and chief financial officer for REI. “Their business savvy and values-led approach will continue to have a positive impact not only on their respective teams but how the co-op broadly serves our members and the outdoor community.”
