Gregory promoted John Sears to general manager overseeing global brand strategy and growth.
The 20-year veteran at the backpack maker had most recently been vice president, responsible for product design and development, North America marketing, sourcing, and operations.
The promotion comes as Gregory, owned by Samsonite, saw global sales grow 16 percent in 2021, led by 62 percent growth in North America and 36 percent in Europe. Small to midsize packs, including hydration packs, experienced the largest gain. Gregory correlates growth in the category to brand momentum and increased participation in outdoor recreation related to the pandemic.
Amid record growth in 2021, Gregory expanded its team and Salt Lake City-based headquarters located at the base of Mt. Olympus in the Wasatch Mountains, shown lead image. The expanded team includes new hires in planning, marketing, product creation, and consumer experience. The senior leadership team grew with veteran staff in sales, operations, marketing, and product development receiving promotions, including Sears.
Photo courtesy, Salt Lake City, UT and John Sears
