Kona Bicycles has tapped bike industry veteran Charles Russell to manage sales and marketing as a member of the company’s senior management team, effective May 5.
Since retaking control of the brand in May 2024, Dan Gerhard and Jake Heilbron have been bringing back some of the company’s experienced and respected Kona staff from Kona 1.0, including recent returnees to the U.S. sales team, Adam Clark (U.S. sales manager), Dale Plant (Alaska, New England, Michigan) and Joe Hamilton (Southeast) to take advantage of the growth opportunities in the bike industry.
“I’ve spent the last couple of years looking for the right opportunity. After meeting with Jake and Dan, I believe I’ll be a great addition to their vision to continue to build this legendary brand”, offered Russell. “With great determination to win and continuously improve and excel with trusted brands, I’m thrilled to be coming back to the bike business.”
Kona said Russell is a proven leader with “exceptional senior management experience, especially in the bicycle industry.”
“He turned his passion for riding into a career, beginning as a sales rep in the mid-1990s and moved on to executive positions in global sales and marketing with several leading bicycle brands,” Kona noted.
Russell reportedly lived and worked in Europe, Canada and the U.S. for a range of global bike brands, including Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Yeti Cycles and Cannondale, “giving him a unique perspective on building brand recognition and demand worldwide,” the company continued.
“In addition to working with some of the best bike brands, Russell also spent time working with Sugoi, POC, and Herschel Supply Co.,” Kona continued.
“We are really thrilled to have Charles join Kona,” said Heilbron. “The next few years are going to be really exciting ones for Kona and the bicycle industry, so Charles is a tremendous addition to our team. He brings a proven history of executing the right go-to-market strategies while building specialty and major business globally. Charles’ experience as a key leader for several premium multi-national consumer brands will be integral in helping to shape the future of the Kona Bicycle Company.”
Images courtesy Kona Bicycles
