Mark Mathews has been named Sierra Designs new director of sales, effective July 31, 2006. Mathews brings over 15 years of outdoor industry sales and management experience to Sierra Designs and Ultimate Direction. Most recently, he was director of sales for Vasque Footwear and Irish Setter Footwear. In this role Mark was responsible for managing sales for two separate brands and led and directed a combined total of 60 independent sales reps.

“Mark has a proven track record in both sales and product management in the
outdoor industry and is the perfect person to direct the sales team at
Sierra Designs and Ultimate Direction,” said president Paul Gagner. “His
extensive past experience in the area of product development, including concept to launch execution, inline product management, product presentations as well as overseeing product development make him a tremendous asset for our two brands. We are very happy to welcome him to our team.”

Starting off his career as a financial analyst and a field biologist, Mark took his knowledge of finance and business and led himself into his greatest passion – the outdoors and the outdoor industry. Prior to his work with
Vasque Footwear and Irish Setter Footwear, Mark worked a as a territory sales representative in Kansas City, MO for such brands as: Vasque, Eagle Creek, Cascade Designs, Smartwool and BlueWater to name a few. Previous to
his time as a rep, he worked on the floor of several outdoor specialty retailers in the Kansas City area where he conducted sales training, supervised employees, and purchased and developed advertising and promotions
strategies.

“I am very excited to be joining the Sierra Designs and Ultimate Direction
team,” said Mathews. “Throughout my career, the outdoor industry in general
and Vasque specifically, have given me the chance to work with great brands
and great people, and I am looking forward to taking that to the next level
with Sierra Designs and Ultimate Direction. This is a tremendous opportunity
for me to bring my experience and energy to these two premier and iconic
brands in the industry, and to help these brands achieve their full
potential.”

An avid participant in outdoor activities including backpacking, climbing,
trail running, mountaineering and skiing, Mathews looks forward to moving
back to Colorado.