Heelys announced several staff changes to support their 2010 business plan, which includes revitaling its brand, making new products a priority and improving partnerships with retailers, marketers, licensers and the media.

Ryan Wills has been promoted to Director of Innovation. His primary responsibilities will be driving new product design and development. He will also work across the board with the marketing group to create packaging, in-store merchandising materials and communications programs for these new products.

Chris Harper has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Retail Relationships. In this role Harper will build on his previous retail responsibilities and will work directly with retailers to build specific sales programs as well as product and promotional concepts to drive sales in their particular stores. In doing so he will work closely with Heelys outside sales representatives, customer service, marketing and product development to ensure that retailers have what they need to succeed with the Heelys brand.

In addition to these promotions, Heelys has named Rick Groesch Vice President of Brand Engagement. Groesch’s responsibilities include consumer insights, planning, web site development, marketing partnerships, licensing, media properties and brand events. Groesch brings blue chip experience having spent eleven years in marketing General Motors products, three years as Global Director of Sports Marketing in the Samsung organization, based in Seoul, South Korea and two years with Gaylord Sports developing sports properties, endorsement opportunities for the professional athletes they represented and PGA and LPGA Tour events.

“Were putting a structure in place to reshape and revitalize the company and the Heelys brand,” said Tom Hansen, Heelys CEO. “Weve made new products a priority. Were committed to giving retailers exactly what they need in product, promotion and partnerships to succeed with us. And were going to take advantage of the many licensing opportunities, marketing partnerships and media properties available to us to increase brand exposure and drive sales. These changes with Ryan, Chris and Rick will help us deliver in these three key areas.”