Pentland Brands Appoints Chirag Patel Chief Operating Officer
Chirag Patel joined the Pentland Brands executive team as director of strategy & portfolio in 2017, where he led the team behind the investment in US sneaker brand, SeaVees, and the footwear joint venture business with the Lacoste Group.
Tompkins Conservation Secures New National Parks for Chile
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, president and CEO of Tompkins Conservation, signed the decrees creating Pumalín National Park and Patagonia National Park Chile. The one million acres and world-class infrastructure they contain have been billed as the largest donation of land from a private entity to a country.
Asics Ventures Acquires AI Silk
Asics announced that its investment subsidiary Asics Ventures Corporation has made its first investment, taking a stake in AI Silk Corporation. AI Silk is a venture company affiliated with Tohoku University that develops conductive textiles.
Telluride Ski Resort Joins the Epic Pass
Vail Resorts Inc. and Telluride Ski & Golf jointly announced that the Telluride Ski Resort will join the industry-leading Epic Pass in a long-term alliance beginning with 2018-19 winter season, bringing the total to 46 mountain resorts for skiers and snowboarders.
Two Ten to Honor Women in Footwear
Nominees for the second annual Women In Footwear Industry (WIFI) Impact Awards include Wendy Wood Yang, President of Hoka, Teva, and Sanuk at Deckers Brands; Jodie Fox, co-founder and chief creative officer of Shoes of Prey; and Alison Prince, vice president, divisional merchandise manager, full price women’s and kids at Nordstrom.
OBIT: Charlie Domenici
Charlie Domenici, founder and owner of Charlie’s Sporting Goods in Albuquerque, passed away at the age of 88.
REI Honors Top Vendor Partners of 2017
NEMO Equipment received the co-op’s overarching Vendor Partner of the Year award. NRS, Oboz, Osprey and La Sportiva were also recognized.
Susquehanna Sees VF Benefiting from Entrepreneurial Spirit
Susquehanna lifted its estimates and price targets on VF Corp. in part due to a greater entrepreneurial push across brands being established by Steve Rendle, who became CEO at the start of 2017.
Fleet Feet, Pro Image Sport Among Top Franchises
Fleet Feet Sports landed at 90 and Pro Image Sports at 110 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2018 Franchise 500 list of the nation’s top franchise opportunities.
OrthoLite Promotes C.B. Tuite to Chief Sales Officer
OrthoLite, the maker of insoles, announced the promotion of C.B. Tuite to chief sales officer as the company expands globally and identifies strategic opportunities. For the last three years, he previously served as the company’s senior vice president of sales and marketing.
Activist Investor Acquires Stake in Nike
Pershing Square Capital, the $12+ billion dollar hedge fund run by activist Bill Ackman, has reportedly acquired a passive stake in Nike Inc.
REI Adventures Expands Adventures Offerings
REI Adventures, the active travel company of national outdoor co-op REI, announced at the New York Times Travel Show the launch of 30 new trips. The itineraries, including the expansion of REI’s easy active and family adventures, position the industry leader for continued growth to meet the diverse interests and abilities of its broadening traveler base.
Jake Burton Carpenter and Donna Carpenter Honored at Inspiration Awards
The winners of the eighth annual Inspiration Awards, presented by Adidas Outdoor, included Lifetime Achievement: Jake Burton Carpenter and Donna Carpenter; Retailer: Gear Coop in Costa Mesa, CA; and Manufacturer: United By Blue.
Dick’s Opens Regional Distribution Hub in Conklin, NY
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. opened a regional distribution facility at the Broome County Corporate Park, 9.4 miles south of Binghamton, in Conklin, NY. The hub is expected to create over 450 full-time jobs during the next five years in the Southern Tier.
Columbia Sportswear Appoints Sales Director Europe
Columbia Sportswear appointed Mike Levi as its new sales director Europe for the Columbia and Sorel brands.
