US branded consumer products company K2 Inc. has named J. Wayne Merck as president and chief executive officer. Mr Merck has served as the company’s president and chief operating officer since November of 2003. Richard Heckmann, who has been the chairman of the board of directors since April 2000 and CEO since October 2002, will remain as chairman of the board and has been appointed as executive chairman.

K2’s brands include Shakespeare, Penn, Pflueger, Sevylor and Stearns in the Marine and Outdoor segment; Rawlings, Worth and Brass Eagle in the Team Sports segment; K2, Völkl, Marker and Ride in the Action Sports segment; and Adio, Marmot and Ex Officio in the Apparel and Footwear segment.