Business news : Yakima Restructures to Support Global Expansion

Yakima Products SVP and Chief Marketing Officer Ron TenBerge will be leaving the company July 13 as part of a restructuring aimed at supporting global growth of the Yakima, Whispbar and Prorack cargo carriers and accessory brands.

The new organization will be led by Mark Reis, who will add the title of CEO to his current titles of CFO and COO.

Reis, who joined Yakima five years ago, will be responsible for developing and executing the global strategic direction of the organization. He brings more than 20 years of strategic and financial experience with a variety of consumer brands including increasing levels of responsibility since his arrival at Yakima.

The new organizational structure will include a three person Global Executive Team including:

Bobbie Parisi, newly assigned vice president of brand management. Parisi, previously global marketing director, will now be responsible for global brand strategy, product category management, brand communication and brand creative. Parisi has over 25 years of brand and marketing experience, including positions at KEEN, Nike and Dr. Martens.

Rich Jeli, senior director-engineering. Jeli, will continue to be responsible for industrial design, product development and engineering. Jeli has been at Yakima for six years and held previous positions at Gerber Legendary Blades and Warn Industries.

The third Global Executive Team position will be senior director – supply chain, for which a search is currently in process.

All of the above positions are located at Yakima’s global headquarters in Portland, OR.

In addition to the executive team, Reis announced the formation of three Global Business Units, each led by a general manager, who will report directly to him. The three business units include: Australia/New Zealand, Europe and Mexico/Latin America. Details regarding the general managers and office locations for these markets will be announced in the coming weeks.

The USA/Canada marketplace will continue to be led and supported by the global organization headquartered in Portland, OR. A search is currently underway for a USA/Canada national sales director. In the interim Dan LeRose, sales director, will become the acting head of sales.

“This new structure will allow Yakima to leverage the strength of our portfolio in the global marketplace and allow us to meet the cargo management needs of a variety of consumers and retail partners,” said Reis.

(SportsOneSource Media)