Ruffwear, maker of performance gear for dogs, has announced that outdoor industry entrepreneur Rob Little will join the company as its new brand president. Little will succeed interim president Will Blount, who will stay on as an advisor during the transition.
The company said Little was chosen, in part, for his diverse business acumen spanning over two decades. He holds an MBA from the the Wharton School of Business, has worked internationally as a Peace Corps volunteer, and has served as an engineer with Lockheed Martin.
Inspired by his love of the outdoors, Little co-founded Cairn, a subscription service that connected outdoor brands to adventurers, which became the “fastest-growing” privately held U.S.-based company before it was acquired by Outside, Inc. During this time, Little also sat on the Board of the Oregon Outdoor Alliance and served as a mentor at Bend Outdoor Worx.
“Rob carries with him a spirit that feels familiar to us at Ruffwear,” said Blount. “His life on the move, chasing experiences across the globe, mirrors the adventure that fuels our own work. Growing Cairn into a thriving community of outdoor explorers shows he’s not just a traveler but a builder — someone who sees possibility and rolls up his sleeves to bring it to life. That blend of curiosity, hard work, and creation is exactly what inspires us, and I’m excited to see where we’ll go together.”
Blount has led the brand for over twenty years and has helped Ruffwear forge a two-decade-long path of successful growth as a “category pioneer while maintaining the brand’s culture and mission,” Ruffwear said in a media release.
“I have had the opportunity to cross paths personally and professionally with Rob for more than a decade,” said Patrick Kruse, R&D director and founder of Ruffwear. “Through every interaction, I have been inspired by Rob’s ability to connect with and bring people together from diverse backgrounds, fulfill his commitments, and build a sustainable culture. He approaches relationships and challenges with poise and grace, understanding both people and business through a common language of outdoor adventures and the challenges and triumphs that come with them. I am excited for Ruffwear as Rob helps us see things through a new lens and enhance how we engage with our pack members, partners, and customers.”
Images courtesy Ruffwear
