Skip Yowell, JanSport co-founder and vice president of global public relations, announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31.
Yowell, together with two colleagues, founded JanSport in 1967 in Seattle, WA while in search of the perfect hiking pack. What began as a passion for climbing and hiking turned into the #1 selling daypack in the world. Yowell's innovative ideas did not end there. He is also credited with creating the first dome tent, waist-suspension flexible frame pack, travel pack and the panel-load daypack.
Yowell has traveled the world giving presentations on the JanSport heritage, including expeditions and adventure travel in Tibet, Everest, Kangchenjunga, Kilimanjaro and many other destinations around the globe.
“On behalf of VF Outdoor, the JanSport management team and our employees, I want to thank Skip for the 43 plus years he has devoted to JanSport, not only laying the foundation for a world-class brand, but leading the growth and development of the outdoor industry,” said Steve Munn, JanSport President.
While Yowell is retiring, he will continue to be a global ambassador for the brand, making appearances on its behalf as well as assisting in the design of the Skip Yowell signature line of JanSport products.
“My to-do list is long and I have many more mountains to climb,” Yowell said. “I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with all of our great employees, customers and vendors over the past 43 years. Even though I will retire from my current position, I am excited to contribute to the design of future JanSport collections and look forward to my continued involvement with the extraordinary non-profits JanSport has worked with for over two decades. What a great industry.”
JanSport, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1967 in Seattle, Washington
