Dave Baker, who founded Summit Hut in 1969, has sold the landmark Tucson outdoor retailer to long-time employee Dana Davis. Baker will stay on to guide Davis through the transition over the next 18 months.


 
“In terms of an on the ground leader, you can't do better,” Baker said in an interview with The B.O.S.S. Report. “She's energetic, intelligent, a good communicator, a good decision maker, ad just a very hard worker. And she's very service-oriented. She really makes sure the customer is getting good service. But what stands out more than anything is her passion for outdoor specialty retail. She just loves it.  You can't keep her away from here.”


Baker said Davis insisted to the 18-month transition period.
“I'll be mentoring Dana and others in the company in areas like finance management, buying, strategic planning and just the nuts and bolts of guiding the business from a senior management point of view,” said Baker. “I'll also be pitching in on the day to day grunt work and will attend the next OR show. I'm really looking forward to that. But I think it's a good decision. Dana's been here for 13 years but it's going to make the transition as seamless as one could hope.”


Baker said he started thinking of selling the business for few years and looks forward to new adventures.


“It just seemed right for a time to change and sort of see what challenges might lay ahead that are new and different,” said Baker. “But I think I'm very excited about getting reacquainted with the non-business person in me. I've been so immersed in this business for the last 42 years. I loved it! But I'd certainly love to get reacquainted with myself as well as spend more time with family. I have a new grandson. And I still really love to get out. I've done a lot of planning on getting out in the wild lands of the Southwest.”


Baker already has a 100-mile walk through a remote part of Arizona planned. He also expects he will do “a little blogging” and stay active with local conservation efforts.


Davis, a 2010 SGB 40 Under 40 honoree who joined Summit Hut in early-1998, has been general manager since 2006 and had previously held the titles of store manager, product buyer, operations manager, and director of retail sales. For the past five years, she has taken the leadership role in the day-to-day operations for strategic planning and implementation of Summit Hut values and direction.


“I think Summit Hut has just been a fantastic company to work for,” said Davis in an interview with B.O.S.S. “I think the company culture is fabulous. I feel we're really dedicated and committed to running a sound and ethical business. We put so much value into our customers and their experience, as well as our employees and being a good vendor partner.  The company and the people that work here have a great passion for the outdoors, the environment, and the gear. You really see the love in the work that we do. It makes it really fun and exciting place to be.”


She joked, “When I first started here I thought it would be a temporary job and that was 13 years ago.”


Baker, who started the Summit Hut in Tucson as a teenager, will work three days a week as part of the 18-month transition. He will continue to work with Davis to impress upon the vendor and public communities the viability of the transition.


Davis said she has no major changes planned.


“It's business as usual,” said Davis. “We want to make sure we don’t lose our sights and move away from the values that made us successful. So we'll keep working on the plans and projections had in place for 2011 and always look for ways to become the best outdoor specialty store we can be. We have a lot on our plate.”
But she admits that she will miss working with Baker once he does leave.


“Dave is a charismatic person so I'll certainly miss the day-to-day interactions,” said Davis. “He was also a great mentor. He has really showed me how to run a good business.”


Baker has also been instrumental in the Tucson climbing and hiking community since his youth and plans to continue his influence in the outdoor space as well as spend much deserved time with his wife Irene and new grandson Silas.


The retailer also recently won Backpacker Magazine's and SNEWS “Retailer of the Year” program for Conservation. One of Summit Hut’s conservation efforts is its “Decline a Bag” program. The company donates 5 cents to local outdoor causes for each bag a customer declines to use. Other newer initiatives include a greater emphasis on recycling its fixtures and instituting a carbon footprint program to cover the fuel for its truck. The retailer also will continue to do two or three Summit Hut events a year to keep up the retailer's core spirit of volunteering.


Dana and her husband, Jeremy, who had worked for Summit Hut for six years, acquired full ownership of the business.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.