Business news : Ride Snowboards Partners With Cold War Sales for Representation in the Midwest

SEATTLE, Wash. (June 13, 2013) – Ride Snowboards is beefing up its sales force presence in the Midwest. Today, Ride Snowboards, an established leader in the snowboard industry, announces their partnership with newly-created Cold War Sales to represent the Midwest territory. Located in Minneapolis, Minn., and Stevens Point, Wis., the sales agency was formed by veteran Ride sales reps Mike “Smooches” Oelkers and Ryan “Old School” Soroko who have been with the brand for more than three years. The addition of the agency to Ride’s sales force team will bring greater efficiency and brand recognition to the region, as well as assist in boosting sales growth.

“I’m excited to have Mike and Ryan’s new sales agency representing the brand and bringing their knowledge, professionalism, and passion for Ride and the sport to both sides of the lake,” says Shawn Penrod, US Sales and Marketing Manager at Ride Snowboards. “Cold War Sales will help carry the brand in the region and offer a more efficient, streamlined sales approach that will benefit dealers, consumers, and fans of Ride.”

The two-man show at Cold War Sales, who collectively bring decades of sales experience in the action sports industry to their new business, will cover all Ride accounts in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Oelkers and Soroko, co-owners of the new agency, possess a wealth of outdoor and snowboard industry knowledge and sales experience that will drive sales for Ride and both live to snowboard.

“I have bled the Ride Snowboards brand for the last three years, and supported the community of shredders with endless enjoyment and laughter,” said Oelkers. “I hope to bring more to the hills and share what has blessed my life in these last years with the magic that is Ride: family, fun, and endless turns.”

Both Oelkers and Soroko have previous sales experience with such brands as Dakine, Smith Optics, Rainbow Sandals, Naish SUP, ION cameras, and Von Zipper. In addition to Ride, Oelkers has represented Rossignol Snowboards, while Soroko has represented Nitro Snowboards, L1 Outerwear, and Scorpion helmets. Cold War Sales will work exclusively with Ride Snowboards in the snowboard industry.

“It’s an honor to be working with a brand that lives and breaths snowboarding – it’s a great shred family,” said Soroko, a former Ride team member. “From grassroots to top-tier events, adding a cultured face to the Midwest is what I believe in, and working with a brand like Ride gives me all the ammo to leave a mark that will be noticed. From servicing accounts and building brand awareness across the heartland with events, demos, and an army of team riders is just a start of great things to be done with Ride in the region.”

Source Ride Snowboards through press release