Grundens Expands Global Team with Six Key Hires

June 25, 2018

POULSBO, WASHINGTON – Grundéns, producer of the world’s leading fishing apparel and footwear, has added 13 new team members globally since the start of 2018. Six of these hires are in key positions that will aid in the continued development of the brand and expansion into additional fishing market segments. Recent growth and a strategic 5-year vision has created the opportunity for additional strategic skillsets within the expanding global team.

“Grundéns has always valued passionate, creative employees and that has been a significant factor in its success. We are continuing to build an incredible brand by bringing even more talent and skill to this team,” says David Mellon, Grundéns CEO. “We have hired some of the top talent in the fishing and outdoor industries into key roles that will build the Grundéns brand into an operational powerhouse. All of these excellent people are already settled into our Poulsbo headquarters and operating at a high level.”

The new Grundéns team members and key positions include:

Ben Crook – Vice President of Sales

Crook brings a track record of success in sales leadership to his role as vice president of sales at Grundéns. He has previously worked in the fishing and outdoors industries at Far Bank Enterprises as national sales manager, and most recently as strategic accounts manager at Amer Sports, focusing on a key retail partner for Arc’teryx, Salomon, Atomic and Suunto.

According to Crook, “I’m absolutely thrilled to join the Grundéns team and help continue the amazing growth the brand is seeing. Grundéns brand heritage and pinnacle products combine to allow fishermen to do what they do…..fish hard!”

Curtis Graves – Director of Product Design

Graves is a respected product leader with previous experience as top brands Salomon, Black Diamond, and most recently Simms Fishing Products where he served as design director. He is already leading new product developments at Grundéns with some innovative new styles targeted for a spring 2020 debut.

Aaron Azevedo – Director of Sourcing and Product Development

Azevedo leads Grundéns product quality, materials sourcing, and footwear development. He brings numerous years of product development experience from DC Shoes, Sklz, Feetz, and most recently Pinnacle Brands Group.

Brian Krezel – Director of Design

Krezel serves as Grundéns director of design. He brings successful product design and project management skills for several respected brands to the Grundéns team, most recently serving as director of design at Simms Fishing Products.

Josh Dees – Chief Operating Officer

Dees serves as Grundéns chief operating officer and brings executive-level leadership experience in process design, project management, and strategic planning. Josh worked alongside Grundéns CEO David Mellon at as chief information officer at Black Diamond equipment from 2004-2010, and most recently led OSIA Medical as CEO.

Kristen Lobisser – HR Director

Lobisser leads Grundéns human resources, developing and supporting the talented team that is rapidly assembling. She brings expertise from previous experience at industry leading businesses Tesla, Strava, and most recently Seqoia Consulting Group.

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ABOUT GRUNDÉNS: Carl A. Grundén began producing traditional waterproof oilskins in 1911 for the fishermen of the North Sea in Grundsund, Sweden. Material shortages during World War I forced the company to close but in 1926 Grundéns Regnklader AB was founded and has been producing quality gear ever since. Today, the brand operates globally from Boras, Sweden and Poulsbo, Washington. Learn more at Grundéns.com.

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