Yakima Products Inc. has doubled the size of its sales management team with the addition of four key positions focused on strategic accounts, specialty retailers, and the international sales and automotive channels.
These additions are part of Yakima’s recent overall growth in personnel, which has increased by 21 percent in 2015 across all departments, including sales, marketing, product development, IT and finance.
Joining Yakima’s sales leadership team is Frank Roome as Director of Sales, Strategic Accounts. The sales management team is being rounded out with the addition of Tim Anderson as Strategic Accounts Sales Manager, Justin Kiedaisch as Key/Specialty Accounts Sales Manager, working with Ben Tindall, Director of Sales, Key/Specialty Accounts, and Jeff Johnson as Business Development Sales Manager, International & Automotive, working with Eric Roesinger, Director of Sales Business Development.
“With the addition of Frank, Jeff, Tim and Justin, we have strengthened and deepened our sales organization. Each has tremendous experience and success in the outdoor and automotive markets, and we’re excited to harness that expertise and passion for our portfolio of brands Yakima, Whispbar and Prorack,” said Ryan Martin, Yakima CEO.
As Director of Sales, Strategic Accounts, Frank Roome is responsible for leading the strategic team, developing and cultivating strong relationships with existing customers and contributing to growth with new streams of business and revenue for Yakima. Roome is based in Yakima’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, and reports to Jason McGibbon, Yakima Global Senior Director of Sales.
Prior to joining Yakima, Roome was president of Burley Design LLC from 2012 through 2014, during which time he as instrumental in leading global sales growth, new product development and market development strategy. He also has 10 years’ experience working as an outdoor industries consultantin Hong Kong, where his responsibilities included overseeing the development and production of apparel accessory programs for leading outdoor and sporting industry brands, including Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Adidas, Billabong and Quicksilver.
“Frank has an incredible background in sales leadership roles. He will be focusing his experience set and tremendous skills on helping take our relationships with our strategic accounts and others to the next level,” said McGibbon. “We are thrilled and honored to have him join the Yakima team.”
In his role as Strategic Accounts Sales Manager, Tim Anderson will provide strategic input and tactical execution to drive Yakima, Whispbar and Prorack sales across channels of distribution, with a focus on outdoor, sporting goods and Internet retailers. He will be focused on helping drive the strategic direction and tactical execution, of initiatives with strategic trade partners.
Anderson has extensive sales experience with global outdoor brands. His career highlights include his sales positions at Columbia Sportswear, adidas and Endura Bike Apparel.
Justin Kiedaisch has joined Yakima as Key/Specialty Accounts Sales Manager. He comes to Yakima from Igloo Coolers, where he was Sales Manager. He also has experience as an outdoor sales representative for Rossignol Skis and Coleman Camping. Kiedaisch got his start in the outdoor industry when, as a competitive skier, snowboarder and mountain biker, he managed several ski/outdoor shops in Lake Tahoe, California. Kiedaisch will translate his experience set and passions for specialty retail, as he drives strategic input and tactical execution of seasonal initiatives. Working with Ben Tindall, Yakima Director of Sales Key/Specialty Accounts, and Yakima’s sales representative agencies, he will help drive revenue, support sales efforts and manage key accounts in the IBD, Outdoor, Winter Sports & Rack Specialty channels. Kiedaisch is based in Yakima’s headquarters in Beaverton, OR.
Jeff Johnson has been named Business Development Manager, International & Automotive. In this newly created role, Johnson will focus his efforts on the automotive and international markets, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. Johnson will manage key account relationships and develop sales programs and deliver promotional strategies for existing and new partners. Johnson is based in Yakima’s Beaverton headquarters
This is Johnson’s second act at Yakima. From 2001 through 2008, he was with the company as Automotive Sales and Marketing Manager. Since then, he held the position of Senior Marketing Manager at NTP, a $100 million national distributor and marketer of aftermarket RV & Towing equipment and accessories, located in Wilsonville, OR.
“Jeff is a strategic thinker and highly motivated, and bringing him onto the team has already had a huge impact,” said Roesinger. “His knowledge of the channels and experience within our product category will boost our partnership levels to an even higher level.”
Yakima Products, Inc. is a world leader in vehicle racks and cargo solutions for a variety of consumers, from outdoor enthusiasts to car aficionados. The portfolios of brands include: Yakima, Whispbar and Prorack.
Each of the individual brands offer a variety of cargo management products including racks for bikes, boats, ski equipment and other gear, cargo boxes and bags and high performance multi-sport trailers.
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