Sherpa Adventure Gear of Nepal bolstered its product development, operations and marketing ranks in Renton, WA with three hires.

 

Amy Lietz Roberts will join Sherpa Adventure Gear Oct. 1 as the director of product development and design. Scott Marble was promoted to director of operations and planning. Chuck Pennington has accepted the advisory role of brand and marketing director.

Roberts brings talent and extensive experience in the outdoor industry to the job. She has worked as a lead designer for Mountain Hardwear, and has also designed for Outdoor Research, Sierra Designs, Camelbak, Clik Elite and Sherpani. Roberts will lead Sherpa Adventure Gear's design teams in both Renton and Kathmandu.

Marble worked for Sherpa Adventure Gear for three years managing production. In his new role, Marble will oversee the company's domestic and international operations, from the logistics of bringing materials into Nepal, where the majority of Sherpa's styles are made, to the export and delivery of the final product to over a dozen countries where Sherpa Adventure Gear is sold. Marble has worked in the outdoor industry for almost 20 years in both the retail and manufacturing realms.

With a decades-deep background in both advertising and design, Pennington has long focused on strategically driven branding for clients ranging from the Fortune 500 to tiny start-ups.

In the outdoor industry, Pennington created Montrail's “You Can't Fake Fit” campaign when the brand was re-launched and re-crafted from its One Sport roots. Pennington has some history with Sherpa Adventure Gear, as the creator of the company's original identity and as a wise, guiding voice in the background. Moving forward, Pennington will expand his involvement to elevate the company's distinct message and position.

“The hard work continues for our brand,” said Sherpa Adventure Gear founder Tashi Sherpa. “I am privileged and grateful to our entire dedicated team for all our successes.” 

Sherpa Adventure Gear was founded in 2003 by Tashi Sherpa, who was inspired  to start the company when he discovered that his uncle was one of the Sherpa on Sir Edmund Hilary's celebrated first-ever expedition to the top of Mount Everest in 1953.  Sherpa Adventure Gear employs over 150 people in Nepal, and in 2009, furthered its local commitment when it opened its downtown Kathmandu headquarters, which houses its offices, the flagship Sherpa Gear House store and The Terrace bed and breakfast. Two more stores opened in 2010, in Namche and Pokhara, Nepal.  The company's marketing and sales office is in Renton, WA.