Business people : Mountain Hardwear Appoints Chris Harges as Director of Global Marketing

Mountain Hardwear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Co., appointed Chris Harges as director of global marketing for the Mountain Hardwear and Montrail brands.

Harges brings over 20 years of outdoor industry and marketing experience to the role. He most recently served as Senior Brand Manager for Mountain Hardwear and Montrail. Prior to Mountain Hardwear, Harges owned a San Francisco-based creative agency that served the outdoor, electronics, and financial industries with brands including The North Face, Hitachi and Wells Fargo. He also held marketing and management roles at The North Face and Eastern Mountain Sports in the past.

“Chris is an exceptional marketing leader who brings a rare combination of vision, creativity and the ability to execute to our brands,” said Topher Gaylord, president of Mountain Hardwear and Montrail. “His leadership as Senior Brand Manager over the last year has been instrumental in bringing a new aesthetic to Mountain Hardwear and Montrail, strengthening consumer loyalty and attracting new consumers to our brands.”

In his new role, Harges will lead all aspects of Global Marketing for the Mountain Hardwear and Montrail brands. He will oversee the global marketing management team that includes two newly created positions, Brand Manager, Product and Brand Manager, Communications.

Kari Rice has been appointed Brand Manager, Product. The Brand Product team will focus on strategic commercialization of Mountain Hardwear product through research, product & technology positioning, content creation and sales tools.

Laura Schaffer has been appointed Brand Manager, Communications. The Brand Communications team will focus on building and bringing seasonal stories to life through integrated platforms including advertising, PR, social media and digital marketing.

Seth Cortright has been named Creative Lead, managing the look and feel of the Mountain Hardwear and Montrail brands.

Jimmy Hopper is Sports & Partnership Marketing Manager, managing the Mountain Hardwear and Montrail athletes, events, guide partners and film partners.

Melinda Ball is Branded Environments Manager, overseeing brand environments including brand shops, fixture programs, POP and trade shows.

( SportsOneSource Media )