Jim Markley Retires From SmartWool

CONTACT: Carson Stanwood
Stanwood & Partners Public Relations
307.733.1514
stanwood@wyoming.com

SmartWool, the leading performance brand of wool-based apparel, socks and accessories, announced today that Jim Markley is retiring as of Director of Sales after ten years with the company.

SmartWool was recently acquired by Timberland, a milestone that represented the “perfect time to step away,” according to Markley. “It’s been a great run,” he said. “The brand was under a million dollars in sales when I took over in 1996 and we had a fraction of the SKUs we have today. The company’s success was very satisfying, but the best part of working for SmartWool has been the people. I am a far better person today because of the opportunity that I had to work and get to know everyone at SmartWool and their families”.

“All the SmartWoolians are grateful to Jim for the job he did in positioning this company as the dominant brand in the outdoor and snowsports markets,” said Chip Coe, SmartWool’s President. “I can say, without any hesitation, that no person has contributed more to the success of the SmartWool brand than Jim. The search is on for his replacement, but they’ll be big socks to fill”.

Markley’s retirement is effective March 31, 2006. He will continue to work though the spring trade shows, after which the SmartWool sales office will transition from Chattanooga, TN to Steamboat.


SmartWool is the leading performance brand of wool-based apparel, socks and accessories. Nothing can compare to SmartWool for the ultimate in performance, comfort and easy care. SmartWool is superior at vaporizing moisture, controlling temperature and odor and is guaranteed not to shrink. It’s also a renewable resource that illustrates the design genius of evolution. For information on the full range of SmartWool products or to find a dealer near you, please log onto SmartWool’s award winning website: www.smartwool.com or contact Alli Noland, Stanwood & Partners PR, 307-733-1514 or anoland@wyoming.com.