Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. named John Walbrecht as President Tuesday, a day after he resigned as president of Columbia Sportswear Company’s Mountain Hardwear brand. Walbrecht will step into the role October 3.
Walbrecht brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience from several strong active outdoor brands. Most recently he served as president and CEO of Mountain Hardwear, a manufacturer of high-tech active outdoor clothing, equipment and camping accessories and a subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear. Prior to his role with Mountain Hardwear, Walbrecht served as president and CEO of Fenix Outdoor, an international group of outdoor clothing and equipment brands. He also served in senior leadership roles at Spyder Active Sports, Timberland, and Dr. Martens, among others.
“John is a seasoned industry veteran who brings a wealth of experience and leadership in the outdoor equipment and apparel space,” Black Diamond Executive Chairman Warren B. Kanders said. “Over the course of his 30-plus year career, he has provided the strategic vision to improve brand equity and drive growth for some of the industry’s most reputable and dynamic companies. Given his strong background, we look forward to leveraging his expertise and enthusiasm as we continue to grow Black Diamond Equipment. I would like to thank Mark Ritchie, our outgoing president of Black Diamond Equipment, for his dedication and years of service. Mark will be assisting John in his transition and working with the team in additional ways in the future.”
Walbrecht holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Brigham Young University, a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Maryland and understudies in International Trade and Finance at Cambridge University – Trinity College.
“It is truly an honor to be joining the Black Diamond team,” said Walbrecht. “Black Diamond is an amazing brand with a strong culture in both the outdoor and climbing communities and prides itself on delivering technical precision in everything it does. Black Diamond has a very bright future and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. designs, manufactures and markets equipment and apparel for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, skiing and a wide range of other year-round outdoor recreation activities. Its principal brands, Black Diamond and Pieps, are sold in approximately 50 countries around the world.
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd is owned by Black Diamond Inc. (NASDAQ:BDE), a holding company that seeks opportunities to acquire and grow businesses that can generate durable free cash flows and attractive returns. Black Diamond has substantial cash balances and net operating tax loss carry-forwards, which will be redeployed to maximize shareholder value in a diverse array of businesses. Currently, Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. is its only operating subsidiary.
