Five Ten announced the addition of Brian Block to their independent sales force. Block will be in charge of Five Ten's Midwestern territory, including Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Block, who attended Iowa State University to obtain a B.A. in Philosophy, brings extensive experience to the job. He spent more than nine years at Iowa-based Ames Outdoor becoming intimately acquainted with the unique demands of outdoor retail. He's also climbed extensively domestically and internationally, with ascents of Aconcaugua, Denali, Mt. Logan and the Mexican Volcanoes. In 2002, he won the coveted Lyman Spitzer Award from the American Alpine Club for a new route attempt on the East Face of Denali.
Five Ten president, Charles Cole says that Block was given the job because of his sales experience, climbing expertise, and mainly, because “he's a stand-up guy who we feel represents what is right about the outdoor industry. He's friendly, smart and enthusiastic-everything you'd want in both a climbing and business partner.” Block also stresses that the importance of not only “talking the talk,” but “walking the walk.” Says Block, “I think that it is imperative that every transaction be of the utmost integrity and honesty. Anyone can make the one time sale-it's building the trust between you and your buyers that will create the residual sales that make a business strong.”
