With the move now completed, KEEN Footwear is up and running in the Pearl District of downtown Portland, Oregon.
Keeping with its environmental efforts, KEEN designed its new Showroom with sustainability in mind. Recycled doors were salvaged from neighborhood reclaimers and repurposed for product slatwall displays. Showroom tables and the reception desk were designed using reclaimed wood from the Willamette River and recycled cardboard which was found in neighborhood salvage yards.
In addition to the new surrounding, KEEN is continuing to add new personnel to their team. The Executive Team is now complete with Kirk Richardson, President; Tim Bartels, Vice President of Sales; Bobbie Parisi; Vice President of Marketing; and Kris Hamper, CFO.
In addition, Debbie Johnson, HR Director; Kelly Wallrich; Director of Design and Development; Joe Zitomer, Director of Operations and Michelle Moses, Customer Service Director complete the Management team.
The Product and Development team has hired a number of new people including Brad Bischel, Outdoor Category Manager; Lorie Pointer, Casual Category Manager; Shay Ryan, Developer; Chris Sander and Sarah Westhousing as Assistant Product Line Managers.
KEEN has just completed visits with 15 of their top customers internationally and in the U.S.
The KEEN Foundation continues to grow and support national environmental organizations including groups that are expanding opportunities for people to experience the outdoors. Recently two organizations have been awarded funds by the KEEN Foundation:
Forest Park, located in Portland, OR, is the largest urban park in the country. Friends of Forest Park is a non-profit organization of local volunteers dedicated to enhancing and protecting the Portlands Forest Park. Their main areas of focus are: land acquisition, habitat preservation, trail projects and public outreach. KEEN will be very involved in the organization and Bobbie Parisi, KEENs Vice President of Marketing will sit on the board. KEEN will also be the presenting sponsor of their annual fundraiser Walk for the Wildwood. For more information please visit www.friendsofforestpark.org
The KEEN Foundation has recently given a grant to The Youth Outdoor Legacy Fund whose mission is to provide grants to volunteer driven organizations that get kids outside. Their goal is to create a $5 million dollar endowment, which will permit their foundation to grant $250,000 to organizations like Trip for Kids, Outward Bound Adventures and Earth-Corps. More information on this amazing organization can be found at: www.youthoutdoorslegacyfund.com
Once again, KEEN and the Conservation Alliance will be joining forces at Outdoor Retailer to celebrate our continued partnership to help outdoor industry companies make a stronger commitment to protecting wild places. On Friday, August 11, 5 PM at the KEEN Footwear Booth (36151) everyone is invited to make a donation to The Conservation Alliance and get FREE KEENS.
