Gaithersburg, MD – Scott Kovarovics is now the Executive Director of the Izaak Walton League of America. Kovarovics has served as Conservation Director since 2008 where he worked in the areas of clean water and energy, sustainable agriculture, youth outdoor education and others.

Hood River, OR – To double Trew’s distribution in 2013, Trew has hired David Sadr as its new North American sales manager. To further aid in the brand’s growth, new sales talent has been brought onboard and a new manufacturing partnership has been established in Vietnam.

Sadr comes to Trew having previously worked for Backcountry.com and Dakine. In his new position he will be focused on building the sales program and increasing distribution in North America.

Old Town, ME – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft has brought on Bob McDonough as director of research and development. He will lead and manage the entire product development process and report directly to Bill Kelly, vice president of Johnson Outdoors Watercraft and Gear.

Encinitas, CA – Bob Rief has retired from his position at Boardworks Surf after four and a half years serving as company COO. Company owner Mike Fox will take over COO responsibilities. Rief will remain to consult for the business as needed and act as a brand ambassador.

Due to rapid growth, Feetures! performance socks has changed its sales leadership structure, to be effective December 1, 2012. Hugh Gaither, president, will continue as National Sales Manager while Joe Gaither will become Western Regional Sales Manager and Dan Gardner Eastern Regional Sales Manager, both reporting directly to Gaither.

Lucas Labree has been brought on as the new marketing communications manager for Johnson Outdoor Watercrafts, manufacturer of the brands Old Town Canoes & Kayaks, Ocean Kayak, Necky Kayaks and Carlisle Paddles. LaBree has a degree in technical communications from Clarkson University and brings with him a tech background in multimedia design. He will join the team at the Old Town, Maine campus and report to the newly established position of product manager—boats. He is an Old Town native.

To catalyze the growth of the Canadian outdoor and action sports market, VF Outdoor and Action Sports, Canada has brought on Francois Goulet as the new General Manager.

Goulet comes to VF Outdoor and Action Sports from Coalision, Inc. where he served as Executive Vice President of Orage, overseeing the global development of the brand. He brings over 20 years of sales, marketing and executive experience in the outdoor and action sports industry to his new position.

Polartec, a supplier of performance fabrics, announces the appointment of new CEO, Gary Smith, and CFO, Joe Robinson. Smith previously served as president of the Outdoor Group for Timberland and as a partner with McKinsey & Company. Robinson was most recently vice president, corporate finance with inVentiv Health. Before that, he served as vice president, global finance, and vice president, North America finance for the Converse division of Nike.