Effective immediately, Vista Outdoor, Inc. named Derek Tarlecki as president of its Bozeman, MT-brand Simms Fishing Products. Tarlecki has worked as its chief integration officer since September, following the retirement of Simms CEO Casey Sheahan.
“Filling this key Simms position has been a priority since I assumed the interim CEO duties,” said Gary McArthur, interim CEO of Vista Outdoor. “Derek’s appointment bolsters our business unit leadership team at Simms, the anchor of our new fishing platform, and better positions us for separating Outdoor Products and Sporting Products into two companies, which remains on track for this year.”
Before helping integrate Simms Fishing into the company’s portfolio, Tarlecki led strategy and co-led M&A for Vista Outdoor and was an integral part of identifying and acquiring its most recent additions, including Foresight Sports, Stone Glacier, Fox Racing, and Simms Fishing.
Before Vista Outdoor, Tarlecki spent nearly 14 years advising and supporting large- and medium-sized businesses at the global strategy consulting firm Bain & Co.
Tarlecki is an active member of conservation organizations, including Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. In his new role, he will offer his expertise and strategic guidance on access, conservation and technical rulemaking issues.
In July 2022, Vista Outdoor entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Simms. In August, the company closed the acquisition for a purchase price of $192.5 million, which included a net value of roughly $20 million in future tax benefits.
Simms is part of Vista Outdoor’s Outdoor Products segment and will be included in its Outdoor Products company upon completion of its previously announced separation.
Photo courtesy Vista Outdoors
