Gregory Mountain Products, part of Black Diamond Inc., has hired Bill Kulczycki as general manager and vice president. Kulczycki comes to the post after four years as president and CEO of Filson. Prior to that, he worked for 28-years at Patagonia, where he held a variety of roles including VP of Product Development, Sales & Marketing, International and Business Development. In his nearly 40-year career in the outdoor industry, he has also worked as a consultant and independent sales representative.
In his new post, Kulczycki will lead the brand and directly manage the senior Gregory team of John Pieper (North America Director of Sales & Marketing), Dion Goldsworthy (International Director of Sales), John Sears (Director of Product) while also working closely with the European Brand Manager, Andrea Meerholz. In addition he will serve as the liaison with the executive team at Black Diamond Inc., which owns Gregory, reporting to Black Diamond CEO Peter Metcalf.
Metcalf said: “I am both excited and exceedingly pleased to have someone of BK's breadth and depth of professional global experience in the outdoor space taking the leadership reins of Gregory. He is exactly the sort of seasoned industry veteran that an iconic Gregory needs to guide its next phase of global growth as the innovative leader in the world of specialty outdoor packs and bags. What makes this hire exceptionally gratifying is the fact that BK and I have forged a 30-year long friendship and professional relationship of mutual respect that has matured through the business challenges we have both successfully navigated.”
Kulczycki will be based at Gregory's new Salt Lake City headquarters where the company relocated earlier this year following its merger with Black Diamond. Gregory operates as an independent brand with an autonomous product management, Research & Development and Sales & Marketing team pursuing their own global strategies.
“In backpacks, Gregory is known for relentlessly pioneering new suspensions and new technologies. Combine that 35-year heritage of innovation with Black Diamond's operational platform and Gregory's potential is unlimited,” Kulczycki said. “I'm honored to join such an iconic, innovative and well-respected brand as Gregory, as well as the leadership team at Black Diamond Inc.”
