Leatherman Tool Group, Inc., parent company to Leatherman multi-tools and Led Lenser lights, has hired Benjamin Rivera as president of Leatherman Tool. Rivera will be located at the Portland, OR headquarters and report to company CEO, Jake Nichol. Rakesh Sridharan will continue in his role as president of Led Lenser.
Rivera, an engineer, has been with the Tool Group going on 22 years and played a pivotal role in the design and evolution of the category-defining multi-tools. “I have long recognized that Ben’s capabilities extend far beyond his status as the world’s best multi-tool designer,” said company Founder and Chairman Tim Leatherman. “Ben is going to make an outstanding president of Leatherman Tool.”
Rivera’s appointment comes at an exciting time as the company enters new markets such as Action Sports, and continues to expand their reach into existing ones with new designs from their main and PocketTool (a new product set from the PocketToolX acquisition he helped execute in 2012) lines. Rivera has played a key role in the creation of the company’s New Product Development (NPD) process and will continue to be involved in NPD as well as with the company’s innovation lab, Free Range PDX, which he helped found in 2012.
“I am excited and honored to be taking on the role of president of Leatherman,” said Rivera. “While my time here has definitely prepared me for this step, I also have a fantastic team to support this transition. I’m really looking forward to digging in and continuing to lead the growth of our brand worldwide.” Rivera’s appointment to president of Leatherman Tool will become effective August 1.
