Keen Inc., a family-owned outdoor and lifestyle footwear brand, has hired Tim Bartels as vice president of sales for the Outdoor, Lifestyle and Kids (OLK) categories. Bartels worked for Keen as VP of sales from 2006-2008.
In his new role, Bartels will manage all sales operations for the Keen OLK business. Effective immediately, Bartels joins Keen in its Portland, OR, global headquarters.
“Tim has deep roots and a sterling track record in the outdoor industry,” said Erik Burbank, Keen general manager. “We will look to Tim’s leadership and experience as we drive for continued growth of Keen’s Outdoor, Lifestyle and Kids business in the U.S.”
After starting with Keen during the brand’s early years, Bartels moved to Columbia Sportswear Co., where, as VP of global footwear sales, he was instrumental in significant revenue growth over three years. Bartels also served 15 years as a sales executive at Nike and held numerous U.S. sales management and leadership positions within the company. Most recently, he served as the CEO at Saxx Underwear Co. in Vancouver, B.C., which enjoyed exponential revenue growth over a four-year period under Bartels’ leadership.
In adding Bartels as the VP of sales, Keen feels it has strengthened its commitment to product-category expansion.
“Keen has a rich history of innovation, industry-leading product and an engaged fan base. With growing momentum in the category, there is a tremendous opportunity for Keen to capitalize,” Bartels says. “I’m excited to rejoin this amazing team and deliver comprehensive go-to-market strategies that reinforce Keen as the market leader while bringing new fans to the brand.”
