Black Diamond appoints brand president
US outdoor company Black Diamond has promoted Ryan Gellert to the newly established position of brand president, effective January 2, 2012.
Peter Metcalf, who currently assumes this responsibility, will remain president and CEO of Black Diamond, while Mr Gellert will move on from his current position as vice president of Black Diamond supply chain management. Mr Gellert began his career at Black Diamond Equipment in 1998 and quickly ascended the ranks to project leader and managing director of Black Diamond Asia from 2005 to 2010.
“Ryan’s appointment marks the culmination of an important objective our company set out to achieve since becoming public in May 2010,” said Warren Kanders, executive chairman of Black Diamond. “The creation of this new position will allow Peter to keep his fingers on the pulse of the Black Diamond brand while at the same time focusing on the organisation’s most compelling strategic initiatives which are currently apparel and acquisitions.”
Mr Metcalf announced the pending split of his role at a companywide meeting in February 2011, after which Black Diamond Equipment began the search for a highly qualified individual to fortify the top of the organisation and provide focused leadership for the Black Diamond Equipment brand.
Mr Metcalf said: “Ryan has been fully committed to our team for over ten years and has proven himself as a highly effective leader. These qualities, along with a deep connection to the values and ethos of Black Diamond, will be a tremendous asset as this brand enters its next stage of growth.”
Mr Gellert will focus globally on all brand functions and will become only the second person to manage and lead Black Diamond Equipment since its inception in 1989 and only the third person in the 54 year heritage of the business, dating back to Chouinard Equipment.
