Gregory Packs grows product development dept. with two new designers

TEMECULA, Calif. – Gregory Mountain Products, the international leader for three decades in backpacks for the full range of outdoor activities, this week announced it has grown its product development department with two new designers and appointed a design manager to oversee the team.

Vince Mares, who worked at Gregory in the late 1990s, rejoined the company as senior product designer after working for six years at CamelBak overseeing recreational soft goods design, among other duties. Mares holds a degree in industrial design from California College of the Arts in San Francisco.

In addition, Patty Yuan joined the Gregory team as product designer after working for Nissan creating color and material palettes and designing women’s soft goods for Axio. She holds a degree in industrial design from California State University in Long Beach.

Finally, Gregory Senior Designer John Sears was promoted to design manager. He will oversee the design team’s creative efforts, reporting to Director of Product Development Russell Rowell and working closely with company founder Wayne Gregory.

In the marketing arena, Gregory hired Jennifer Eastman as marketing coordinator. Eastman, who previously worked at Gregory as key account coordinator and brings sales and marketing experience from the travel industry to her post, will work with Gregory’s sponsored athletes, coordinate events and handle an array of other marketing duties.

“2007 is Gregory’s 30th anniversary, and as we are celebrating that distinction, we also we also want to be sure we’re looking ahead,” said Gregory President John Simons. “These design and marketing team additions are all about making sure we have the right people, the right team chemistry, and the right resources to earn the title of the world’s preeminent packbuilder three decades from now.”

For more information about Gregory packs, visit www.gregorypacks.com.

About Gregory Packs

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2007, Gregory Packs has been the longtime international leader in expedition, backpacking and day packs. Gregory is world-renowned for setting standards for durability, comfort and performance in backpacks. In the last three years, Gregory won awards for its pack designs from such diverse media outlets as Backpacker Magazine, Popular Science, National Geographic Adventure, Consumers Digest and Alpinist Magazine. Responsible for many industry firsts in backpacking fit and design, the Gregory research and design team, including company founder Wayne Gregory, continues to lead the way in innovative backpack technology and performance. The company in recent years has expanded into lightweight packs, sport-specific packs, and travel, commuter and lifestyle products.

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