In a move that combines sales forces for two of the largest U.S.-based backcountry product manufacturers, longtime Backcountry Access (BCA) Sales Director Steve Christie has been appointed North American sales manager for BCA and K2 BackSide. In his new role, Christie will direct a combined backcountry-based specialty sales team while reporting to both BCA and K2 from the K2 Sports’ office in Seattle.
The joining of these two brands allows Christie’s team to offer dealers brand, price point, product and feature selection with one stop shopping.
“Our new sales force is one-of-a-kind in the industry,” said BCA co-founder, Bruce Edgerly. “By combining K2’s experienced sales force with the technical know-how of BCA’s seasoned tech reps, we now have the best representation on the ground in North America to sell and service the most comprehensive lineup of backcountry products in the business.”
Christie will be responsible for managing the sales efforts of five newly hired K2 rep groups along with six professional backcountry specialists that include guides, avalanche forecasters and educators. The regionally based teams will be lead by Steve Marks in the Pacific Northwest, Marc Lee in Colorado, Richard Kuipers in the Intermountain West, Mike Rosen in California and John Whitcomb in New England. Also critical to these efforts are Andy Wenberg, Sander Wijad and Dane Olson, three BCA veterans who will be responsible for several different sales channels.
“This is an exciting combination of brands,” said Steve Christie, North American sales manager, BCA and K2 Backside. “BCA and K2 Backside recognize our responsibility to continue to educate people about backcountry safety and stay dedicated to a knowledge-based approach for our customers. Knowledge leadership will be a key component to the success of these brands for both selling product and continuing to save lives.”
