Jim Whittaker, who in 1963 was the first American to reach the top of Mount Everest, has agreed to work exclusively with Eddie Bauer on product design and marketing. Whittaker became president and CEO of REI in 1971, overseeing REI's expansion into the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Portland and Anchorage, before retiring in 1979.


 


REI Co-founder Lloyd Anderson had been one of Whittaker's early climbing instructors, and in 1955 he hired Whittaker in as REI's first full-time employee, according to The Seattle Times. Whittaker wore Eddie Bauer gear during his history-making climb.


 


The hiring comes as Eddie Bauer, under CEO Neil Fiske, is emphasizing its outdoor roots. As an example of its renewed outdoor focus, Eddie Bauer is bringing back the Sport Shop, a space in its stores where hunting and fishing gear used to be sold. Fiske, 46, took over Eddie Bauer last July after leading a turnaround as CEO of Bath & Body Works.