Birkenstock USA has beefed up its sales force by hiring six new territory managers and four new field service representatives.


Building on a stellar year in 2010 with double-digit sales growth, the new hires solidify Birkenstock USA’s place in the category as a leading provider of customer service to their retail partners. “From a business perspective, the expansion of the Birkenstock sales team highlights the pride the company takes in its relationships with retailers,” says Jay McGregor, vice president of sales and marketing. “This move reinforces our dedication to providing our customers with an even higher level of attention and service. By adding to our sales team, we expect even more positive growth and forward momentum for our business in 2011 and beyond.”

The new members of the sales team arrive with a diverse background in retail sales management experience. The new field service representatives will bring a greater emphasis to ongoing customer support and together with the territory managers will focus on educating independent retailers on the Birkenstock brand.


“Field service representatives are our ambassadors when it comes to product and brand education, promotion support and merchandising assistance,” said Field Service Manager Anne Brussok. “Working with our experienced territory managers, we are confident that this team effort will extend Birkenstock health and wellness benefits to our retailers and end consumers.”

The expanded team at Birkenstock includes:



  • Scott Renner, Territory Manager Mountain Region. Scott recently was promoted from Field Service Representative, bringing over 10 years of retail experience at Nordstrom and Romax and wholesale experience at Superfeet and Josef Seibel in both the comfort and pedorthic industries.

  • Erik Ernstrom, Territory Manager Southwest Region. Erik covers the Southwest territory out of Texas. Coming from outside the shoe business, he carries over 12 years experience as a sales and product manager in the outdoor/sporting goods industry with Thule and The Coleman Company.

  • Austin Martin, Territory Manager Northwest Region. Austin supports Birkenstock out of the Seattle area, covering the Northwest states. His professional experience includes retail sales and analysis at Nordstrom, as well as wholesale account management with Josef Seibel.

  • Howard Jones, Territory Manager Northern California Region. Howard’s 20 years of athletic footwear industry experience include positions as a territory and key accounts manager with Adidas and Nike, and he is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

  • Stephanie Militello, Territory Manager Southern California Region. Stephanie’s eight years in the footwear industry include positions as a buyer and a brand account manager for national retailers, including American Eagle Outfitters, Shoes.com, Skechers and Fila.

  • Kourtney Kaisher, Territory Manager Southeast Region.
    With over 10 years of selling experience in the Southeast territory, with brands that include Rockport, Nautica Footwear and Diesel and with Burdines Department Stores, Kourtney brings a wealth of experience and strong retail relationships to the Birkenstock sales team.

  • Nathan O’Neal, Field Service Representative Southeast Region.
    Nathan is responsible for the Southeast and brings over five years of experience working with Birkenstock and the Licensed Brands as a manager for a local Birkenstock Specialty Store in Tennessee. Prior to joining Birkenstock, his most recent experience included six months with The Walking Company.

  • Paul Schultz, Field Service Representative Lower Midwest Region. Paul handles the Lower Midwest and comes to Birkenstock with previous experience at The North Face and Dick’s Sporting Goods. His expertise and background is in the outdoor/action sports category of ski, snowboard and biking. Paul now excels in providing professional Birkenstock product education clinics to department stores and independent accounts in his territory. 

  • Donnie Flahavan, Field Service Representative Northwest Region and California/Nevada. Donnie brings broad-based experience in footwear and apparel, having worked as both a tech and sales representative and managed retail stores with companies such as Fleet Feet, Reebok and Adidas. Her most recent endeavors include a decade of working within the running industry to help produce and manage running/race events and teaching a health and wellness exercise program for seniors.

  • Ryan Goralski, Field Service Representative Upper Midwest Region. Ryan comes with over seven years experience in having owned and managed an independent Euro comfort shoe store in Wisconsin. As a footwear retail entrepreneur, Ryan brings merchandising skills, years of Birkenstock and the Licensed Brands product knowledge and fitting experience, as well as marketing skills to the team.