REI Names Bill Baumann Vice President of Information Technology

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, announced today that Bill Baumann has joined the company as vice president of Information Technology (IT).

With more than 20 years of IT experience, Baumann was most recently the vice president of IT with Musician’s Friend/Guitar Center in Medford, Ore. In that executive role, he led all IT operations of the company’s online group (more than $600 million in annual sales) and helped the company rank in the top five by Internet Retailer for highest availability and speed in 2007.

Baumann also previously served as the chief information officer and executive vice president of technology and supply chain for Tower Records, Inc., a $1 billion global retailer. Under his leadership of the company’s technology departments domestically and in Europe and Asia, hundreds of technology improvements were implemented across multiple platforms, including the introduction of a replenishment and reporting system for more than 300,000 products.

In his role at REI Baumann leads a 195-member team responsible for technical services to REI’s business units, including application development and support, personal computing, architecture and networks. REI’s Information Technology team also manages the customer-facing technology systems that make possible REI’s Gift Registry, email program and online experience. He also is a member of REI’s Information Technology Steering Committee, a group that reviews and prioritizes the company’s technology capital improvements.

About REI
REI is a national outdoor retail cooperative dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores nationwide, two online stores – www.rei.com and www.REI-OUTLET.com – and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from all of the top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel, including its own line of award-winning outdoor gear and apparel. While anyone may join or shop at REI, members pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. As an active supporter of the communities in which it does business, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.