Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) appointed Ivar Chhina as its chief financial officer. Chhina, 46, has served REI as a member of the co-op's board of directors since March 2006, most recently, as vice chair and as chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.
He will resign his position on the board to serve the co-op as an employee.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with a person so deeply committed to REI's purpose,” said Sally Jewell, REI's president and CEO. “I am fully confident Ivar will complement our team by bringing strong skills in finance and technology, together with vision and commitment, to guide our co-op toward a bright future.”
Chhina brings years of executive, finance and technology experience to REI. He is currently a project-based partner with a San Francisco Bay Area private equity firm, and is also currently serving as a board member and interim CEO of a Texas-based health care organization. Previously, Chhina was chairman and CEO of a retail dental practice management franchise with 130 retail locations in eight western states.
“I am truly excited to join REI in this capacity,”said Chhina. “To work more directly for an organization I love deeply, in a business that has the potential to impact so many people's lives in a positive way is the perfect role for me.”
Chhina holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a master's degree in International Policy Studies from Middlebury College Monterey Institute.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Chhina has been active in the community, most recently serving in leadership capacities on the board of trustees of Fort Mason Center, which is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the nationally-significant historic Fort Mason site on San Francisco Bay as a National Park Service facility for a broad variety of artistic, cultural, educational and recreational uses by Bay Area residents.
In addition to mountaineering and rock climbing, Chhina is an avid mountain biker, road cyclist, backpacker and fly fisher, and also enjoys backcountry and cross country skiing.
