Russ Hopcus is leaving his post as SVP of sales for adidas USA to become president of Icebreaker's U.S. operation starting May 15, 2008, the New Zealand maker of merino wool apparel said. “We win through people, were building the dream team here, and having Russ as our new US leader is a cornerstone,” said Icebreaker Founder and CEO Jeremy Moon.
“Having Russ join us to run the fast paced US business is a clear signal of the level of excitement and opportunity that we have ahead of us at Icebreaker,” added Tony Balfour, General Manager – Markets. “I know Russ cant wait to bring his skill set and experience to accelerate the enormous opportunities we have in the US, and neither can we.”
Hopcus was senior vice president of sales for adidas USA from 2005-2008, leading a team of more than 200 people and with sales of more than $1 billion. From 2002-2005, he held other senior management positions at adidas USA including directing national footwear and accessory sales. From 2000-2002 he was director of global sales and international general manager for Nikes ACG outdoor business. From 1991-2000 he held a number of leadership positions at Nike in footwear and sales management. Hopcus, a keen sportsman with a very active outdoor lifestyle, is a graduate of California State University, Northridge.
“From the moment I tried my first piece of Icebreaker apparel, I was blown away by how it performs,” said Hopcus. “Im very excited to be part of a team that gets it. Icebreaker has a great brand proposition, phenomenal product and a terrific group of people. Im looking forward to building on the momentum that has already been created here in the US.”
Icebreaker has established itself as a leader in the merino wool apparel category. It's USA business has more than doubled in the last 24 months and with more and more consumers making the switch from synthetic fabrics to sustainable and renewable merino Icebreaker fully expects growth to accelerate further. This is a sentiment shared by retailers who are universally seeing Icebreaker as a key growth story in the outdoor industry.
Hopcus lives in Portland, Ore., which is also the new home of Icebreakers U.S. headquarters. In January 2007, the company announced it would relocate its U.S. offices from Ketchum, Idaho, to Portland and opened its Global Apparel Design Studio there. Icebreaker maintains a design team in New Zealand that serves as the core directive for the brands clean aesthetic and lifestyle crossover appeal.
The first Icebreaker Touch_Lab retail store opened in Portland in December 2007 on NW 11th and Burnside Streets.
