PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq: COLM), a leading innovator in active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, today announced the impending retirement of Doug Morse, Senior Vice President, Emerging Brands, in the summer of 2021, and the hiring of Craig Zanon to fill the vacancy created by Morse’s retirement.
“Craig brings a wealth of experience that will help us continue the growth trajectory of SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna,” said Tim Boyle, CEO, President and Chairman of the Board. “He will build on the brand-led, consumer focused strategy that we have been pursuing for the last several years.”
Prior to joining Columbia, Zanon spent more than twenty years with Nike, where most recently, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Global Basketball. During his time at Nike, he also served as Vice President for U.S. Footwear and General Manager for the Americas.
Morse has held many positions within Columbia Sportswear Company, beginning as a temp in the Consumer Department in November of 1994. After several successful roles in Operations, he served for five years as General Manager in Canada and one year as the interim GM in Europe, before assuming the role of Vice President / Chief Business Development Officer and General Manager of LAAP Distributors in 2016. Morse took on the additional role of managing the Emerging Brand portfolio and the Asia Subsidiaries in 2017 before focusing on the Emerging Brands in 2020.
“Doug has been a key part of our growth strategy, helping guide business development and acquisitions for the past seven years,” said Boyle. “He has been a critical part of our Senior Leadership Team, and his business acumen and commitment to excellence will be missed.”
Zanon will be joining the company on April 5th to ensure an effective transition to the role of Senior Vice President, Emerging Brands upon Morse’s retirement.
The role of Senior Vice President, Emerging Brands will continue to report to Tim Boyle following the transition.
“I’m excited to join Columbia Sportswear Company and its portfolio of brands,” said Zanon. “After a year like 2020, it will be a welcome challenge to help drive growth at SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna. I look forward to nurturing the unique aspects of each of these iconic brands to help them reach their potential.”
About Columbia Sportswear Company:
Columbia Sportswear Company has assembled a portfolio of brands for active lives, making it a leader in the global active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment industry. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, the company’s brands are today sold in approximately 90 countries. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns the Mountain Hardwear®, SOREL® and prAna® brands. To learn more, please visit the company’s websites at www.columbia.com, www.mountainhardwear.com, www.sorel.com and www.prana.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding anticipated results, profitability and growth. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “should,” and “may” and other words and terms of similar meaning or reference future dates. The company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis; however, each forward-looking statement involves a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in this document, those described in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors,” and those that have been or may be described in other reports filed by the company, including reports on Form 8-K.
