Columbia Sportswear Co. on Monday announced the following management changes within the company’s North America Sales team.
Dean Rurak, Columbia’s vice president of U.S. apparel sales, has been appointed senior vice president of North America sales for the Columbia brand, effective October 2. In this new role, Rurak will report directly to Franco Fogliato, executive vice president and Americas general manager for Columbia Sportswear.
As a 21-year veteran with the Columbia brand, Rurak first began working with the company as a regional brand sales representative in Canada. In 2008, he relocated to Columbia’s Portland, OR, headquarters, where over the last 10 years, he served as a key strategic partner, supporting the Columbia brand through various positions in both sales and product management, including director of international merchandising, senior director of global apparel, vice president of Columbia Brand apparel and, most recently, vice president of U.S. apparel sales.
“Dean has developed a well-rounded, global perspective of our business with a strong understanding of the Columbia brand consumer,” Fogliato said. “Going forward, Dean’s leadership will be instrumental as we work to drive future growth in North America and deliver on our brand mission of unlocking the outdoors for everyone.”
Rurak succeeds Joe Craig, who, after 23 years representing the Columbia brand, has made the decision to retire effective October 1, 2018.
Craig first started working with Columbia in 1995 as an independent sales representative and co-owner of CW Outdoors. In 2009, Mr. Craig joined Columbia Sportswear as a sales manager for men’s apparel, and over the following years, he progressed through various management positions, playing a key role in the growth of Columbia’s North America wholesale business.
Going forward, Craig will continue to consult with Columbia on select projects for its North America sales team. He will also continue to represent Columbia as a board member of The Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging outdoor businesses to help protect and conserve threatened wild places for their habitat and recreation values.
“Joe is one of the most well-respected and accomplished leaders at Columbia Sportswear Company and across the industry,” Fogliato said. “We are incredibly thankful for Joe’s outstanding service to our organization and wish him all the best in his future adventures.”
