SmartWool Corporation, an outdoor performance brand offering Merino wool-based apparel, socks and accessories, announced Mark Bryden will be leaving his role as President and General Manager of SmartWool to become Vice President and General Manager of Timberland North America.

Simultaneously, the company announced that Mark Satkiewicz has been promoted to President & General Manager of SmartWool. Chris Hahn has also been promoted to Chief Administrative Officer and will return to the company’s global headquarters.

Mark Bryden is leaving SmartWool after five years of service, including three years as President and General Manager. Bryden helped improve the company’s sustainability record and revive the company’s corporate culture. All of which have helped SmartWool receive numerous accolades in recent years, including two consecutive years among the top 10 of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work.

“Since I arrived at SmartWool, I knew it was a special company. We have an incredibly talented pool of people. I just let them do what they do best and as a result, they made my job easy,” said Mark Bryden, former SmartWool President. “I am equally excited to be taking the next step at our parent company. Timberland is at a crossroads with many opportunities ahead of it. This is one of the great, iconic brands and I am eager to see all that we can achieve.”

“I have spent the last two years working with Mark in his role as a leader at SmartWool, and I have grown to know him, appreciate him and respect him for his skills, experience, leadership, and passion for building great brands,” stated Jeff Swartz, President & CEO of The Timberland Company.

SmartWool simultaneously announced today that Mark Satkiewicz, Vice President of Sales, has been promoted to fill the role of President vacated by Bryden. Satkiewicz will be responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of the SmartWool global brand. The promotion is effective immediately.

Satkiewicz has been with SmartWool since June 2006 as the Vice President of Sales. He has led his sales force to record revenue growth with double-digit increases each year. He has also played a critical role in the company’s Long Range Plan development and renewed its focus on partnerships.

“Mark has been a critical member of the SmartWool leadership team since his arrival,” said Mark Bryden, former president of SmartWool. “He has been a strategic partner of mine with sound judgment. He is uniquely qualified to serve SmartWool as its next President by virtue of his unique experience, talent, dedication to the SmartWool brand, and his unwavering commitment to our partners.”

“Mark Bryden has been a great mentor of mine over the past few years and I am sad to see him go,” stated Satkiewicz. “However, like Timberland, SmartWool is also at a crossroads with many opportunities ahead. It is my intention to continue with the strategic plan we have developed, including our growth internationally. We also intend to continue focusing on partnerships and those who have helped make us successful; while continuing to develop the SmartWool brand all around.”

In building on SmartWool’s commitment to partnerships, the company will promote Chris Hahn to Chief Administrative Officer. Hahn will oversee all aspects of the company’s operations, IT, supply chain and financials.

“Chris is a tremendous asset to this company. We needed someone overseeing our international operations who truly understood the brand and the essence of SmartWool,” explained Satkiewicz. “Now, with this change in leadership, I want the best thought partners in the company at the global headquarters. Chris’ depth of experience, passion, dedication, and insight into this brand will be invaluable as we move forward and take SmartWool to the next level.”

Hahn has been with SmartWool for more than five years in a variety of facets including Supply Chain, Operations, Leadership Team, and strategic change management. Most recently, Hahn has focused on building a solid foundation for the company’s international efforts.

“While the company is undergoing a significant amount of change right now, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the international partnerships we’ve been able to build over the last year,” explained Hahn. “We see the international market as a significant growth opportunity and will continue to increase our resources and investment in those markets to ensure continued success.”

Hahn will remain involved in the development of the European operations, splitting his time between the US and the United Kingdom until his replacement has been found.

All changes are effective immediately.