Celebrating its 70th anniversary as a retail cooperative serving the gear and apparel needs of outdoor enthusiasts, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), announced its 2008 board election results during its annual membership meeting held March 31. The co-op also thanked Doug Walker for his service to the board of directors for the past 12 years.
Cooperative members voted to return incumbents Jesse King, Cheryl Scott and Michael Smith to three-year terms.
King of Evergreen, Colo., is serving his first term on the REI board of directors. In July 2007 he was appointed by the board to a one-year term. King is the managing director for Fulcrum Advisors where he consults corporate, government and non-profit sectors in philanthropy, organizational strategy and leadership development.
Scott of Seattle, Wash., is serving a second term after her initial election in 2005. Scott currently serves as the chief operating officer of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is a clinical professor for the University of Washington School of Public Health.
Smith of Seattle, Wash., is entering his sixth year on REI's board after his initial appointment in 2002. He is currently the president and CEO of Bag, Borrow or Steal, the first “luxury on loan” company that offers women's designer accessories. He is also the former CEO of Lands' End, Inc.
The REI board of directors also selected its officers for 2007. Anne Farrell, former president and CEO of the Seattle Foundation, was-elected as chair. Ivar Chhina of Burlingame, Calif., was elected vice chair.
At the membership meeting REI president and CEO Sally Jewell thanked outgoing chair Doug Walker for his service to the co-op. As the outgoing chair, Walker is retiring from the board in accordance with co-op term limits.
“As an avid climber and cyclist, Doug has always brought the soul of an active outdoors enthusiast to the REI board and epitomizes how individuals can help get others recreating outdoors. Combined with his exceptional business experience and community service, he has been an important part of shaping REI during the past 12 years,” said Jewell.
During Walker's tenure with the board of directors, the co-op achieved many significant milestones, including growing REI from $500 million in sales to more than $1 billion, and expanding from 44 stores to nearly 100 stores while maintaining its position on FORTUNE's “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” list.
