Cabela’s Inc. hired Scott Frnka as vice president of merchandising General Outdoors. Frnka, most recently vice president of Academy Sports and Outdoors’ Field and Stream Division, brings more than 15 years of retail merchandising experience to the multi-channel retailer of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear.
Frnka, who will start at Cabela’s in October, will oversee merchandising operations for Cabela’s fishing, power sports, home and gifts, and camping and outdoor segments.
“Scott adds immediate value as our third vice president of merchandising,” said Tommy Millner, Cabela’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Plus his experience in today’s retail environment fits well with the strong team of seasoned professionals we are building to lead our retail business.”
During his tenure at Academy, Frnka developed expertise in, among other things, product development, sourcing, logistics, distribution and inventory strategy. He led his division to a banner year in 2009.
“With Scott’s well-rounded experience in procurement, product development, marketing and profitability performance and his experience in the outdoor sports sector, he will be a strong and important link in our merchandising strategy for retail, catalog and Internet sales,” Millner said.
“The addition of Scott to our team continues our effort of recruiting top retail expertise to our already strong foundation of experts,” Millner said. “We are bringing in the best and the brightest from companies like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Shopko, Walmart, JCPenney and Toys “R” Us to enhance our team.”
Over the past several years, Cabela’s has added six senior-level executives or directors with a combined 150 years of retail experience.
“Scott will join us as our third vice president of merchandising, joining 28-year Cabela’s veteran Doug Zingula, who is Vice President of Merchandising Hard Goods; and Chuck Denny, Vice President of Merchandising Soft Goods, who has 30-plus years of retail and merchandising experience,” Millner said.
Other additions to the retail team have included Michael Copeland, Vice President of Retail Operations and David Homolka, Director of Retail Operations.
