Outdoor USA Magazine

Johnson Outdoors Watercraft and Gear which manages brands including Old Town Canoes and Kayaks, Necky Kayaks and Ocean Kayak has added Jeff Cunningham as western regional sales manager.

Michael Glavin has been tapped to fill the newly created vice president and brand manager position at Sierra Designs. The hiring underscores a bigger commitment to the brand's growth. The position will enhance a number of fields including strategic direction, product planning and day-to-day operational leadership. Glavin will work across both the equipment and apparel categories. Glavin brings over 17 years of outdoor industry experience and prior experience with MSR, Cascade Designs and as an independent contractor. Glavin will begin with brand in early February, reporting directly to Brett Jordan, CEO of equipment and Bob Orlando, CEO of apparel.

Karen Matthee has joined ExOfficio as public relations and partnership specialist. In this role Matthee will develop, manage and execute all aspects of a global public relations and partnership plan for the brand.

This hiring complements ExOfficio's emphasis over the last year to build the strength of their internal marketing teams. Matthee has a background in journalism and worked as editor at Seattle Child's Magazine and Sea Kayaker Magazine.

Honey Stinger has restructured their sales team in order to strengthen sales focus in specific categories and regions. Key employees have been promoted including Amy Satkiewicz, who has moved to national sales manager.

Satkiewicz was originally sales manager for running and outdoor but is now overseeing all domestic sales staff in her new role. The restructuring will help Honey Stinger meet increasing demand for their product. Other promotions include, Jeremiah Jackson to category manager for outdoor/ sporting goods, Nate Bird as category manager for specialty sports, Doug Starkey is now category manager for grocery/ natural health and Chris Tamucci is international sales manager.

Moving Comfort has named Julie Gongliewski as director of sales. She will be responsible for working with product and marketing and leading implementation of the brand's selling strategies.

Tom Mendl has been select by Bemis Associates Inc. as director of marketing for apparel and footwear. He joins the team with over 20 years of industry experience, most recently serving as director of sales and marketing for Vibram China where he lead the launch of Soles and FiveFingers into mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson is stepping down from his executive position of chief innovation and branding officer at the apparel brand on January 29. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Lululemon's CEO Christine Day continues in her role, which she has served since 2008. Lululemon gave no reason for the decision, issuing the following statement from Chip: "I feel comfortable leaving the company with Christine Day at the helm of a world class management team whom I fully believe will continue to elevate our world."

Lowe Alpine announced that Jeff Lowe will rejoin the company in a non-executive role as Honorary President in an effort to reestablish its image as a leader in both innovation and quality.

Jeff, along with his brothers Mike and Greg, built the Lowe Alpine brand in 1967. In the 1980s, high manufacturing costs and export duties led the brothers to sell the brand to a UK company, soon ending all affiliation with the brand.