Simms Fishing Products, the manufacturer of waders, outerwear, footwear, and technical apparel in fishing, announced the appointment of Bart Bonime to vice president of product design & merchandising.
“I cannot be more excited to be working at Simms and helping to drive technically-focused product innovation to the next level,” said Bonime. “The team is solid and I’m looking forward to working with everyone in Bozeman.”
Bonime has an extensive background in product design and merchandising, in addition to brand management and sourcing. For the last eight years, Bonime served as the director of fishing at Patagonia. Under Bonime’s leadership, the FISH division was recognized for their product innovation and sustainability initiatives and received many awards.
Prior to that, Bonime led Apparel Design & Sourcing for Redington Apparel, from the initial line launch to securing a dominant position in the specialty market with Redington’s value-priced product. Bonime also founded Go Fish Corporation in 1995, which was recognized as one of the fastest growing privately held businesses in Oregon in 1998 and 1999. Bonime’s career in merchandising commenced at Columbia Sportswear Company where he served as the Advertising & Promotions Director for almost 10 years.
In addition to Bonime’s vast knowledge and experience in product design, merchandising, development and sourcing, he is ardent about environmental health and the broad range of issues that we are facing now and in the future, especially as they relate to healthy fisheries.
“I am thrilled that Bart has joined the world class executive team that we are building here at Simms,” said Casey Sheahan, CEO of Simms. “His track record as a merchant and innovator in the fishing and outdoor industries are the right expertise to help achieve our strategic growth initiatives.”
