Native Eyewear announced the promotion of Jacqueline “Jax” Mariash to marketing director and the appointment of Michael Bertsch to event manager. Both appointments are effective immediately.  The company had also recently relocated its corporate headquarters to Denver, Colo.

“We are thrilled to have found a marketing team with a roll-up-your-sleeves, get-it-done attitude to build on Native’s position as a beloved sun and sport performance brand,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Native Eyewear and its sister company, Costa Del Mar. “It was important to us to find a team passionate about our brand, both as marketers and as athletes who use our eyewear. We are lucky to have a team of business-minded athletes who help us produce and refine the best possible products for our customers.”

As director of marketing, Mariash will take the ten-year old brand into new territories and serve as the brand protector. She will develop and cultivate partnerships with industry and community organizations including the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and will work with IMBA to launch Barnum North, a new urban mountain biking course in Denver. Under her guidance, Native will also reduce its carbon footprint by partnering with organizations like Renewable Choice Energy to further reinforce its commitment to sustainability.

Prior to Native Eyewear, Mariash was a marketing manager at Crocs where she spearheaded execution of all retail marketing efforts for Crocs stores retail accounts and developed grassroots marketing plans for the company. In addition to her marketing background, Mariash is also the fasted long course female duathlete in the nation, an elite triathlete, and a newcomer to the world of climbing.

Michael Bertsch will support the marketing director by managing Native’s endorsements with professional athletes and teams and by assisting with all retail marketing efforts on a local and national level.  Prior to Native, Bertsch was a brand ambassador for Crocs footwear on the PGA Tour and spent five years with Team Championships International.