Senior Brand Manager, Mountain House | OFD Foods

Several years after graduating from Saint John’s University, Brandy ventured off to San Diego and plunged into surfing and snowboarding. While there, he accelerated his brand marketing career working at the WD-40 company and launched several product lines used by tradesmen and action sports professionals and enthusiasts. In 2011, he maintained his relationship with WD-40 while working remotely from various locations in Colorado, Cambodia and Australia. Seeking a career more tightly aligned with his love of the outdoors, Brandy relocated to Oregon in 2014 where he currently champions Mountain House Adventure Meals at OFD Foods as Senior Brand Manager.

EDUCATION & DEGREE(S) ACHIEVED: B.A., Management, St. John’s University

I COULDN’T DO MY JOB WITHOUT: My customers who are also a community of dedicated and active outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, OFD would not be successful without our loyal dealers. Internally, it takes a committed team to produce the quality-level product we deliver and the customer support we are known for. The cross-functional group at OFD makes this happen.

MOST IMPORTANT THING I HAVE LEARNED: Don’t be afraid to be the first person on the dance floor. Don’t worry about being judged, just make the effort, follow your heart and get out there before the better dancers show up.

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT TO DATE: Mountain House has been the leading cult favorite of camping food for nearly 50 years. By bringing the Mountain House experience to others, I am hitting on core personal values by helping people get outside and connect around a campfire. The fully integrated campaigns that I spearheaded have led to double-digit growth from within a mature category.

MOST IMPORTANT THING I HAVE LEARNED: Team members want to learn and be challenged in a satisfying work environment that values engagement and allows for autonomy.

WHAT OR WHO HAS ENABLED YOU TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL: My former manager and our current VP of Merchant Systems, made a significant investment in my development and reshaped how I think about our supply chain and assortment planning.

BEST ADVICE I WAS GIVEN OR THAT I WOULD GIVE: Develop and internalize a solid and fact-based brand essence and goals. Once this is locked in, decisions come easy.

WHAT YOU WOULD WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE: Providing people more accessible, attainable, and achievable adventures to reflect, react, relax, and reset.

BIGGEST LIFE LESSON: Explore the world outside of your bubble.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN TWO WORDS: Trailblazing Workhorse