Osprey Appoints Kenny Ballard as Chief Operating Officer

Cortez, CO – April 28, 2014 – Osprey Packs, Inc., a leader in creating top-quality, high-performance, innovative packs to comfortably and efficiently carry gear, is pleased to announce that outdoor industry veteran Kenny Ballard has joined the company in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Ballard will head up Osprey Packs Operations, IT, Purchasing, Quality and Returns as well as Human Resources.

“Osprey Packs is very excited to welcome Kenny to our company,” said Tom Barney CEO of Osprey Packs. “Filling the COO role completes Osprey’s Executive Team and will help provide Osprey and our customers further critical internal support. Kenny possesses the experience and energy necessary to be successful as our COO and contribute to Osprey’s leadership and future growth.”

Ballard is a well-respected leader in the industry, having served as President of Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group (BOSG) that includes Kelty, Sierra Designs, Slumberjack and Wenger camping. Most recently, Ballard headed up Kenny Ballard Consulting which is a multi-channel brand, sales, marketing, product and management consulting firm.

“As a longtime admirer of the Osprey brand, I am honored to be a part of this passionate and accomplished team,” said Ballard. “I look forward to being a part of the brand’s future in this strategic role.”

Next month, Ballard and his family will relocate to beautiful SW Colorado, home to Osprey corporate headquarters.

About Osprey Packs

Independent, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014, and still anchored by the design genius of company founder and owner, Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs has long set the standard for creating innovative, high quality gear carrying equipment. The collection includes packs and bags designed to help adventurers enjoy their outdoor, biking and travel pursuits.

The location of company headquarters in Cortez, Colorado, near the rugged San Juan Mountains on the edge of desert canyon country, provides a constant inspiration and a superb testing ground for Osprey products. Osprey also maintains a product development office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, near the factories where they manufacture their products, ensuring face-to-face relationships and transparency with their suppliers. In 2009, Osprey opened a design office in Mill Valley, California, a hub of design talent and the birthplace of mountain biking. All three of these offices play a crucial role in creating Osprey gear that lasts a lifetime.

To celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2009, Osprey launched the All Mighty Guarantee, an enhancement of a lifetime warranty that was already one of the most robust in the industry. Free of charge, the company will repair any damage or defect in its product – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. Every Osprey product reflects the company’s commitment to protect the wild places its customers love to explore.

For more information, visit www.ospreypacks.com.

By press release