SmartWool announced today that Jim Markley is retiring as of Director of Sales after ten years with the company.
SmartWool was recently acquired by Timberland, a milestone that represented the “perfect time to step away,” according to Markley. “Its been a great run,” he said. “The brand was under a million dollars in sales when I took over in 1996 and we had a fraction of the SKUs we have today. The companys success was very satisfying, but the best part of working for SmartWool has been the people. I am a far better person today because of the opportunity that I had to work and get to know everyone at SmartWool and their families”.
“All the SmartWoolians are grateful to Jim for the job he did in positioning this company as the dominant brand in the outdoor and snowsports markets,” said Chip Coe, SmartWools President. “I can say, without any hesitation, that no person has contributed more to the success of the SmartWool brand than Jim. The search is on for his replacement, but theyll be big socks to fill”.
Markleys retirement is effective March 31, 2006. He will continue to work though the spring trade shows, after which the SmartWool sales office will transition from Chattanooga, TN to Steamboat.
