GU Energy Labs announced the expansion of its product, marketing and creative teams with new hires, including Leif Arneson as creative director, Brian Gillis as marketing communications manager and Caitlin Trahan as product development scientist.
Prior to joining GU, Arneson spent over a decade as creative director and senior design leader in-house at Clif Bar and Company. Arneson re-designed the flagship Clif Bar product brand, pioneering both the original “kraft paper bag” brand cues as well as the “flavor-colored mountain hues” that visually reinforced the company’s shift to sourcing certified organic ingredients. During his distinguished career, Arneson has created powerful, innovative packaging design and strategic brand identity systems for an array of Fortune 500 clients. He has previously worked for some of the most prestigious design and branding firms in the country, including Landor Associates, CKS Partners, frog design and Roger Black.
Gillis, the new GU Marketing communications manager, brings a strong background in marketing, having served as AlterG’s marketing coordinator for the past two years. In his personal life, he’s an accomplished runner, boasting a second place finish at the 2013 San Francisco Half Marathon and a third place finish at the 2014 North Face Endurance Challenge 50k. Between his professional skills and his passion for endurance sports, Gillis brings unwavering determination to his role as GU’s marketing communications manager.
GU’s new Product Development Scientist, Caitlin Trahan, comes with extensive knowledge of health-oriented athletic energy products, having served most recently as a Senior Product Developer at Clif Bar & Co. She also brandishes an impressive list of mountain biking accomplishments, having won the 2015 Lemurian and placed 7th (first female finisher) in the 2015 Boggs 8 Hour races in the Singlespeed divisions.
“We are excited to welcome these three outstanding individuals to the GU team and believe they are going to exponentially expand GU’s strategic branding and product development efforts” said Brian Vaughan, GU co-founder and chief endurance officer.
