Columbia Sportswear said its number two executive, Michael McCormick, executive vice president of global sales and marketing, has resigned from the company for personal reasons.

McCormick was essentially second in command at the company, where he spearheaded efforts in recent years to invest in proprietary technologies that yielded its Omni-Wick, OMni-Freeze, Omni-Wind, Omni-Dry, Omni-Heat and Omni-Shield apparel lines.

Columbia Sportswear also owns the Mountain Hardwear and Sorel brands.
 
The announcement was made in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 15.

Timothy Boyle, the company’s president and chief executive officer, will be assuming McCormick’s former duties on an interim basis.

In an interview with SportsOneSource, Ron Parham, Sr. dir. investor relations & corp. communications at Columbia Sportswear, said McCormick's exit “boils down to personal reasons.”

Describing him as a “one of those turnaround, special-change agents,” he noted that McCormick had been with the company six years and the company had made significant progress regaining momentum in the marketplace through its renewed focus on bringing technological advancements to market. But he inferred that such management types often naturally seek out the next challenge at a certain point. Parham added, “They run at a very high octane pace and it takes a toll. So with as much as he has accomplished in his six years, he's going to take some time and recharge and kind of figure out what's next.”

Parham added, “He left a great legacy and our job is to continue on with the path he set us on.”

McCormick joined Columbia in August 2006 as VP of sales and was named EVP of global sales and marketing in October 2008. From 2003 to 2006, McCormick served as chief marketing officer for Golf Galaxy, Inc. From 2000 to 2002, he served as EVP-global sales for Callaway Golf Company, and from 1992 to 2000, he worked for Nike, Inc. in various sales management positions, including director of national sales.

Upon termination and subject to McCormick’s agreement to release any claims against the company and various other conditions, McCormick will be entitled to receive compensation and other specified benefits in accordance with the company’s change In control severance plan.