Black Diamond Ramps Up Recruiting Campaign Announcing Key Hires and Promotions to Marketing and Operations Teams

May 3, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY (May 3, 2017) – Black Diamond Equipment^®, a global leader of innovative active outdoor performance equipment and apparel, has appointed James Atkin as its director of brand management, Matt Bluher to the newly created position of director of retail and visual merchandising and Andy Earl as photo editor. Additionally, Lisa Leffler was promoted to director of global logistics and Scott Furash was appointed to sourcing director.

“These four exceptional new hires, along with the promotion of Lisa Leffler, represent Black Diamond’s ongoing recruitment efforts to invest in the people necessary to support our global platform,” said John Walbrecht, president of Black Diamond Equipment. “Each of these individuals brings significant experience to help lead our company and will continue to be the cornerstone of our success.”

As Black Diamond’s director of brand management, James Atkin will manage brand building initiatives, community relations, the media and Black Diamond athletes and sponsorships directly addressing Black Diamond’s core partners and consumers as well as mobilizing new communities for the Black Diamond brand.

Atkin previously worked at NRG Energy as the director of global marketing for the Goal Zero brand. Prior to, he served in several roles including: manager of brand marketing, community marketing, sponsorships, social media manager and digital content specialist.

“The opportunity at Black Diamond is tremendous,” said Atkin. “BD is an iconic brand anchored in authenticity, serving its passionate customers innovative and beautifully designed products that also deliver in quality and functionality. I’m honored to be working for such a storied brand and a proud member of this incredibly passionate and talented team. I look forward to applying my previous experience and play an instrumental role in continuing to build momentum around Black Diamond.”

Other Black Diamond marketing hires include Matt Bluher and Andy Earl. Bluher will serve as director of retail and visual merchandising and brings an extensive background in retail management and operations. He formerly served as the retail operations manager for Fjallraven North America, in Boulder, Colorado. Earl, a photographer and former content manager with Goal Zero, will serve as Black Diamond’s Photo Editor.

In news from the operations division at Black Diamond Equipment, Lisa Leffler was promoted from senior global logistics manager to director of global logistics. In her new role, Leffler will be responsible for global logistics and all product distribution. Formerly, she served as a logistics and purchasing manager with the Rossignol Group. Lastly, Scott Furash will join the Black Diamond team as its director of sourcing. Since 2015, Furash served as the principal consultant of TriggerPoint Consulting, focusing on global strategic sourcing, tactical procurement and project management along with sales and business development, product/category management and SRM.

Walbrecht adds, “This is just the beginning. Black Diamond is still in the earliest stages of a recruitment effort designed to take Black Diamond through its next phase of growth.”

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About Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.

Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. is a global leader in creating innovative outdoor engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, skiing and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Black Diamond Equipment, and its sister brand PIEPS™, are synonymous with performance, innovation, durability and safety in the outdoor consumer community. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, our products are designed and exhaustively tested by an engaged team of discerning entrepreneurs and engineers. The Black Diamond Equipment culture of precision and excellence enhance the authenticity of our brands, inspire product innovation and strengthen customer loyalty. Black Diamond Equipment’s products are sold in approximately 50 countries around the world. For additional information, please visit our website at www.blackdiamondequipment.com or www.pieps.com.