Arcteryx veteran Kate Paterson has joined FirstSpear, to help it expand its technical apparel line for elite war fighters and other professionals.
Paterson will serve as aparel poduct line manager, developing and managing a new suite of mission-specific, custom product that the company will be launching in the near future.
The new pieces will utilize the latest in performance enhancing materials and design techniques, complementing FirstSpears existing apparel products and their unique, lightweight load carriage systems. The line will seamlessly integrate with current industry armor systems and may serve as standalone technical garments for customers. Paterson will work to ensure that the effort builds on the companys high speed, customer driven business model.
Prior to her work with FirstSpear, Paterson spent 20 years at Arcteryx working in a range of capacities, resulting in a core expertise in researching, developing, consumerizing and improving highly technical apparel.
I am looking forward to working with an independent, research and development focused company that prioritizes the individual needs of the customer, said Kate Paterson. I really enjoy helping people do their jobs better. FirstSpears focus on the unique mission needs of the individual user is in complete alignment with my goals of developing and fielding the very best products for our first responders and professional users.
Paterson joins FirstSpears head of research and development Jon Laplume, who will be leading the technical material development process and interfacing with end user groups to generate the final product.
Our continued expansion in the technical apparel field is the next logical step in the evolution of FirstSpear, said FirstSpear CEO Scott Carver. We have worked for the past two years to deliver user-driven load carriage systems that enable our customers to meet and surpass their mission needs. Kate brings to our team in-depth knowledge of how to assess, accommodate and address the changing needs of our countrys professional user groups. Her skill set will help us even further support our customers changing demands by offering them new apparel options that integrate seamlessly with their gear to deliver maximum capability.
FirstSpear designs are produced with direct input from end users and by developers who take into account specific mission needs, resulting in innovative, capability-driven products. FirstSpears headquarters are located in Fenton, Missouri. The company has experienced rapid employment and capability growth since their inception in 2010.
