Columbia Sportswear taps new SVP, North American sales

PORTLAND, Ore. — Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Russ Hopcus as SVP of North American sales, a newly created position that will report directly to president and CEO Tim Boyle, effective July 29.



In this new role, Hopcus will develop and execute wholesale sales and distribution strategies for the company’s Columbia and Sorel brands in the U.S. and Canada.



Hopcus has 28 years of global sales and marketing experience in the athletic and outdoor footwear and apparel industries. Since 2010 he has served as VP of global sales and market development with Keen Footwear, developing and executing brand-enhancing strategies to improve sales and distribution, key account management, sales force automation and go-to-market coordination between sales, marketing, merchandising and operations.



From 2008 to 2010 he served as president of North America at Icebreaker and was a member of the company’s global brand leadership team. From 2002 to 2008, Hopcus advanced through senior U.S. sales positions at Adidas USA, culminating as SVP of U.S. sales. Between 1991 and 2002 he worked for Nike, where he held various U.S. and European sales management roles, including global sales director and international GM for Nike’s ACG outdoor business.



“Russ will be a great addition to Columbia’s North American leadership team,” said Boyle. “He has spent his career leading sales organizations and developing customer-focused strategies and relationships to drive brand-enhancing growth.”



“I am excited to join Columbia Sportswear, with its strong portfolio of outdoor brands and rich history of innovation,” said Hopcus.



In a related move, Joe Craig, currently national apparel sales manager for the Columbia brand, has been promoted to VP of U.S. apparel sales for the Columbia brand, reporting to Hopcus. Craig joined Columbia in 2009, following more than 15 years as principle of a U.S. sales agency that represented the brand.



Columbia Sportswear Company is a global outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment brand founded in 1938 in Portland, Ore. Columbia products are sold in approximately 100 countries. In addition to the Columbia brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns outdoor brands Mountain Hardwear, Sorel, Montrail and OutDry.