High Sierra responds to brand growth with a strengthened sales force – expands reach in Midwest and Rockies territories
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Vernon Hills, IL, May 13, 2014—In response to increased growth in the outdoor market, international adventure gear manufacturer High Sierra (www.highsierra.com) welcomes five new sales team members.
Industry veterans Brian Block, Scott Gales and Julie Hoffman join the Sales Management team while David Bender and Chris Bindert deepen the brand’s sales representation in the Rocky and Midwest territories respectively.
“We are very proud to have such experienced and talented sales professionals join our team,” said Dawn Sicco, Vice President and General Manager, High Sierra. “With the support of enhanced sales efforts in both the Midwest and Rockies territories, we look forward to the continued growth of our brand in the outdoor specialty market and beyond.”
Before joining High Sierra as the Sales Manager of Outdoor Specialty and USSA, Brian Block was the Founder and Principal of Ames Adventure Outfitters, an independent sales representative group that represented brands that include: Marmot, Osprey Packs, Beal, Grivel, Scarpa and Sole. Block is an avid outdoorsman and accomplished alpinist having successfully climbed the Seven Summits.
Scott Gales joins High Sierra as Sales Manager for Sporting Goods and Office Superstores. Prior to joining High Sierra, Gales operated his own rep organization representing brands including SKINS Compression Apparel, ECCO Footwear, Thorlos Socks and Maui Jim Eyewear. Additionally, Gales has held sales director positions at various other leading brands, including Adidas.
Julie Hoffman brings a wealth of luggage industry experience to High Sierra as the Manager of Luggage Specialty and Department Stores. For the past six years, Hoffman served as Director of Sales at Eagle Creek and before that, worked for Briggs and Riley Travelware and Heritage Industries/Kenneth Cole Travelware.
Veteran sales representative Dave Bender will be responsible for servicing specialty accounts in the Rockies. As the former owner of B&H Sports/Kidder Ski Shop in Denver, CO, Bender has an acute understanding of the needs of specialty accounts and has represented other leading outdoor and ski brands including Bula Headwear and Bolle eyewear.
Chris Bindert of the Great Northern Group will be responsible for servicing and expanding High Sierra’s presence in the Midwest. Bindert brings thirteen years of outdoor industry experience and adds High Sierra to the list of outdoor brands he represents including Aqua-Bound Paddles and Stohlquist Waterware.
About High Sierra:
A division of Samsonite LLC, High Sierra designs feature-rich, versatile outdoor lifestyle gear for adventurers everywhere. Since our founding in 1978, we’ve committed ourselves to creating durable, affordable product with distinctive details, delivering the freedom to go anywhere—near or far, on roads or trails, on mountain ridges or snowy slopes, no matter what form your adventure takes. In 2012, High Sierra formed a design partnership with the Chicago-based CITYPAK Project [501(c)(3)] to create purposeful, utilitarian backpacks for the homeless. High Sierra is also proud to be the Official Bags supplier to the U.S. Ski, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing teams. High Sierra. Adventure This Way.
For more information or to shop online, visit www.highsierra.com, like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/highsierrainc) follow us on Twitter @HighSierrainc, on Instagram, @highSierra_USA. For media inquiries, images, and sample requests, contact: Kara Herlihy, kara@palemorning.com, (802) 583-6070.
