K2 Sports announced several promotions in a major reorganization of its U.S. sales management team.


John O’Connor, formerly U.S. Sales Manager for K2 Snowboards, has been promoted to U.S. Sales Director for K2 Sports.  O’Connor, a 14-year veteran of the company, will continue to direct the K2 Snowboards sales team while also overseeing the US Sales Managers for K2 Skis, Line Skis, K2 Inline Skates, Morrow and 5150. 


“I think it is a credit to K2 Sports that we are able to staff all of these positions from within the company,” said Tim Petrick, VP Global Sales.  “John O’Connor has done an exceptional job managing the sales of K2 Snowboards for the past three years, and he has a solid track record of getting results. I am confident John will do an excellent job directing the efforts of the sales managers who will now be reporting to him.”


Ben Wallace, formerly National Sales Manager for Line Skis, has been promoted to National Sales Manager for K2 Skis. Wallace, who has worked for K2 in various capacities since 2001, will be responsible for managing K2 Skis’ sales in the U.S. market.


“Ben Wallace has distinguished himself in every position he’s had at K2 from his initial years in product management, to his recent assignment as sales manager for Line Skis. Wallace has done an exceptional job managing Line’s independent reps and has helped fuel the explosive growth of the Line brand over the past two years.”


In addition, Kevin Lewis, formerly the International Sales Manager for K2 Sports handling the sales for all non-subsidiary countries, has been promoted to National Sales Manager for Line Skis; and Armand LaPorte, formerly Sales Services Coordinator, has been promoted to International Sales Manager. Lewis is a 10-year veteran of the company and began his career at K2 as a customer service representative; and LaPorte, who has worked for K2 for two years, was named the company’s “rookie of the year” in 2007.


“Both Kevin and Armand have demonstrated strong organizational, managerial and communication skills in their previous roles with K2 Sports,” Petrick said.  “I know they will do a great job building upon the success of our brands in the years to come.”


“The sales management promotions we have announced today will reinforce K2’s reputation as a company that provides superior service, reliability and profitability to its retail partners by offering great products that enhance the experiences of end users.”