Bradford Bates joins Osprey Packs as Director of Sales

Cortez, CO – January 12, 2011 – Osprey Packs, Inc., a leader in creating top-quality, high-performance, innovative packs to comfortably and efficiently carry gear, has hired Bradford Bates as their new Director of Sales, effective immediately.

As Director of Sales, Bates is responsible for leading Osprey’s overall domestic sales strategy. He will directly manage the outdoor channel and work closely with Patrick Piller, Osprey’s bike sales manager in managing the IBD channel. Bates will focus much of his time looking to enhance the relationships already in place and continue to develop programs that support both the internal and external sales teams at Osprey.

“Brad’s extensive outdoor and bike industry experience and relationships, along with his dedicated work style and passion for the outdoors, makes him the perfect fit for Osprey. I’m excited to work with Brad and see everyone benefit from his leadership,” said Tom Barney, CEO of Osprey Packs.

Bates comes to Osprey with two decades of experience in the outdoor, snow sport, and bicycling industries. He has been a sales manager with Mountain Hardwear, Inc., for the past seven years as both western regional sales manager and national sales manager, where he was responsible for managing a sales team with 30 independent sales representatives in nine territories. Prior to Mountain Hardwear, Bates partnered with others to manage a couple of independent sales representative agencies where his clients included JanSport, Cloudveil, Marin Bikes, Gita Sporting Goods and other outdoor, snow sport and bicycling brands. Earlier in his career he was national sales manager at Gary Fisher Bicycles.

“I see this is as a great opportunity for me to work with a company with a tremendous approach to product and people,” said Bates. “Their commitment to the environment and maintaining an active outdoor lifestyle is quite inspirational. I couldn’t be more excited to join the team at Osprey.”

Bates will split his time between Osprey’s U.S. headquarters in Cortez, Colorado and the company’s design studio in Mill Valley, California before relocating to Southwest Colorado this summer.

Osprey Packs
Independent since 1974 and anchored by the design genius of company founder and owner, Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs has long set the standard for creating innovative, high quality gear carrying equipment. The collection includes packs and bags designed to help adventurers enjoy their outdoor, biking and travel pursuits.

The location of company headquarters in Cortez, Colorado, near the rugged San Juan Mountains and on the edge of desert canyon country, provides a constant inspiration and a superb testing ground for Osprey products. Osprey also maintains a product development office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, near the factories where they manufacture their products, ensuring face-to-face relationships and transparency with their suppliers. In 2010 Osprey opened a design office in Mill Valley, California, a hub of design talent and the birthplace of mountain biking. All three of these offices play a crucial role in creating Osprey gear that lasts a lifetime.

To celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2009, Osprey launched the All Mighty Guarantee, an enhancement of a lifetime warranty that was already one of the most robust in the industry. Free of charge, the company will repair any damage or defect in its product – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. Every Osprey product reflects the company’s commitment to protect the wild places its customers love to explore. For more information, visit www.ospreypacks.com.