Lost Arrow Corporation, parent of outdoor apparel company Patagonia, Inc., announced that effective October 31st, 2005 Michael Crooke, President and CEO of Lost Arrow Corporation, will be stepping down after seven years of dedicated service. Lost Arrow’s Board of Directors has named Casey Sheahan as interim President and CEO of Patagonia. Sheahan currently serves as New Business Director at Patagonia, Inc. He will act as interim President and CEO for a six-month period starting November 1st, 2005.

“Patagonia will continue to do well and do good because this company is not about one person,” said Michael Crooke, “It is the collective power of 1000 creative, motivated, passionate people. I was fortunate to be one of them for almost seven years.”

Crooke will remain on the Board of Directors of Lost Arrow Corporation for the foreseeable future. Michael plans on completing his PhD dissertation in the coming months, and hopes to enjoy personal time as he decides on the next steps of his career.

“We have innumerable reasons to thank Michael for his many significant contributions to the growth and vitality of Patagonia over the seven years he has been with us,” noted Patagonia owner and founder Yvon Chouinard, “Malinda and I, as well as the Board of Directors and our senior management team are excited about Casey’s new responsibility and the long-term prospects of this company. We hope our company and the entire outdoor industry will welcome Casey into his new role.”

Sheahan, a long-time industry veteran, came to Patagonia in December 2004 from his post as President of Kelty, Inc. He is aligned with several environmental organizations, previously serving as President of the Conservation Alliance, a non-profit organization of outdoor businesses whose membership dues support grassroots citizen-action groups. In addition to his diverse management background, Sheahan brings a breadth of skills in the fields of marketing and sales. Sheahan has previously served as Vice-President of Marketing for Merrell Footwear and Category Marketing Manager at Nike ACG.

“I’m deeply honored that Patagonia has chosen me to succeed Michael in this exciting new role,” said Sheahan, “At a time when our world is experiencing a deepening of the environmental crisis, I look forward to helping Patagonia realize its mission statement of building the best product while causing the least amount of harm.”