SOG Specialty Knives and Tools announced several changes to senior management to realign the company with new growth strategies.
“We are enjoying excellent momentum this year from our SOG brand restage, new packaging, and exciting new products,” said Jerry Heinlen, who was hired as CEO of the Lynwood, WA company in January, 2013. “These organizational changes will help us to better align our efforts with our customers and drive ongoing growth and improvement.”
The changes include four promotions and a hire.
Nando Zucchi has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing just a year after he joined SOG as vice president of marketing.
Rabi Gupta, who joined SOG in April 2012 and has led significant improvements in financial reporting, analysis and control, has been promoted to the position of chief financial officer.
To facilitate stronger focus on customers and drive execution of SOG’s recent brand restage and packaging launch, Tanya Tremoulet has been promoted to senior manager, customer service, and Chris Cashbaugh has been promoted to senior marketing manager.
In addition, SOG announced that Scott Forristall has joined the business as director of sales. Forristall joins SOG from his post as vice president of sales and business director for Johnson Outdoors, Inc. located in Racine, Wisc. He will manage key accounts for SOG across the U.S. and Canada.
Heinlen said the changes will foster a stronger, more market-driven organization.
Taking its name from an elite Special Forces military group from the Vietnam era the Studies and Observation Group SOG was founded in 1986 by designer and toolmaker Spencer Frazer. SOG has gone on to produce the favorite models of specialty knives and tools used by the military, law enforcement, industrial tradesmen and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.
