OGIO has hired Tom Gocke, a 15-year veteran of the golf industry and OGIO's national golf sales manager, as its first Global Director of Golf. Steve Elder, who until recently worked as OGIO's director of operations, will serve its Director – International Division.
“The OGIO brand is growing at an explosive pace right now and never more so than in our international division,” said president David Wunderli. “With such progress, our distributors overseas and throughout North and South America need the best support we can give them. Both Steve and Tom bring the business acumen and the operational expertise to ensure that our domestic and international teams realize their full potential.”
Gocke joined OGIO in 2005 as a regional, then later national, golf sales manager. During his tenure with OGIO, the company has seen consistent annual sales growth within both the off-course and on-course channels. The former Nike Tour professional golfer and celebrity golf teacher also worked for eight years as Bite Golf's director of golf.
“OGIO's success has hinged on our commitment to authenticity,” Gocke said. “Whether we're finding new solutions for snowboarders, building our team of sponsored motocross riders, or developing the most ground-breaking golf bag components, the final product reflects the way we live, eat and breathe within those worlds. We're beautifully poised to become a global brand and it is an honor to work with our international team to help make that happen.”
Prior to working as OGIO's controller and director of information systems, Elder served as a principal consultant for Oracle Corporation, implementing the company's financial applications for multi-million dollar clients and managing project teams of up to 25 people. He began his career as a consultant with Arthur Andersen based in Seattle. He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Accountancy in Information Systems (MAcc) degrees from Brigham Young University, and is a CPA.
