EXEC: Rapala VMC Names Cyrille Viellard Next President and CEO

Current President and CEO Lars Ollberg will continue in this role until March 6, 2025, and then retire. He has worked for the company for over 45 years in various roles. Incoming President and CEO Cyrille Viellard, who has worked at Rapala VMC since 2014, will assume his new role on March 7, 2025.

Z-Man Appoints Product Manager and Marketing Specialist

The company has hired Richard Dunham, a lifelong bass fisherman and industry veteran, in the newly created role of product manager role, and Marketing Specialist Abbie Skeen, who brings her skills in image and visual branding as well as graphic design.

Ombraz to Expand Retail Presence, Adds New Hire

The company plans to expand its representation in other U.S. regions outside the Southwest and Southeast. Internationally, it aims to expand its business in Japan while exploring distribution opportunities in Canada. In October, Samantha Putošová was hired as supply chain and operations manager.

PwC’s 2025 M&A Outlook Sees Arrows Pointing Up for Deal Flow

PwC’s analysis of PitchBook Data, Inc., found that several thousand PE exits were delayed over the past two years. The company said some of these exits are more likely to happen now that more certainty has returned to the market — meaning more potential targets for corporate acquirers.