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9 Inside Outdoor | WINTER 2021 Rackle Launches Retail Program, Adds Reps Following its direct-to-consumer test this past summer, Rackle Shoes is expanding its distribution strategy with the launch of a B2B retail program for the Spring 2021 season. Rackle has hired a team of independent sales reps in all regions with the goal of expanding into a range of retail outlets including traditional footwear and inde- pendent boutiques including those that sell hemp products. Rackle is an eco-smart footwear brand made with hemp uppers that were built to be “the most sustainable shoes available in the mar- ket,” said the company. “We set out to build the most planet-friendly footwear brand possible. In the concept phase we decided to build a modern shoe that considered its entire life cycle. Each question was direct and to the point: What would it be made of? How would it be built? How would we deliver the shoes, and how would they be returned back to the Earth?” said creation director and Rackle founder Joe Napurano. Rackle’s new national sales team includes: Lindsay Bell (CA, NV, AZ) lindsaybbell@gmail.com 949.291.2847 Mark Ellis (NY, PA, NJ, MA, DE) markrellis@me.com 215 694 5574 Kev Martin (WV, VA, TN, NC, SC, GA, AL, FL) adrenalinesports@msn.com 828-349-9091 Amy Brown (MI, IL, OH, IN, KY) abrown4511@gmail.com 216-233-5924 Mike Felix (TX, MS, LA, KS, OK, MO) 816-824-5268 mfelix.vapor@gmail.com Brent Williams (WA, OR, HI, ID, MT) 541-948-9481 mrfakey86@gmail.com Jeff Church (NH, ME, CT, RI, VT, MA) jeff@jcasales.com 603.926.9888 Scott Kelly (CO, WY, UT, NM) teamfastlane@comcast.net 801-558-2230 Rick Zahalka (MN, ND, SD, WI, NE, IA) rickzahalka@gmail.com 715-415-1593 EXPED USA Welcomes Midwest Sales Team EXPED USA recently announced the addition of Par- allel 45 Sales Group as its midwestern representation. Effective immediately, Parallel 45 Sales Group will over- see strategy, sales and service in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Parallel 45’s founder and principal representative Doug Scott is based in St. Paul, Minn. “Doug and team bring almost two decades of indus- try knowledge, strategic planning, and retail operations,” said Tracy Collins, director of sales at EXPED USA. “EXPED is committed to building an industry-leading sales and service team and we’re excited to add an agency with Parallel 45’s experience to support our growth strategies.” Grayl Names Director of Sales Water purifier brand Grayl has named Chris Lowe as director of sales. Lowe is tasked with building out and managing GRAYL’s nationwide group of sales reps while implementing a strategic sales plan to fuel continued growth of the brand across catego- ries, Lowe joins Grayl with more than 20 years of experience working at outdoor industry organizations including REI, ExOfficio, and, most recently, Cascade Designs where he held the director of sales position over its five brands. Mountain Source to Rep Rockies for Merrell Merrell has appointed Mountain Source as its sales agency to represent the brand in the Rockies. Mountain Source is supported with two full-service showrooms in Denver, Colo., and Salt Lake City, Utah. The agency’s greater mission is to help as many people as possible experience the outdoors through their retailers in The Rockies, said the group. “To be represented by one of the most well-respected agen- cies in the outdoor industry is a big win for our brand and the retailers in this region,” said Alex Brown, vice president of sales at Merrell. Rab Appoints National Sales Manager Rab has named Ryan Krusemark as the company’s first-ever na- tional sales manager as it looks to build on its success and expand its North American footprint in 2021. Krusemark will be based out of his hometown of Livingston, Mont., and will oversee all U.S. sales for Equip, the parent company of both Rab and Lowe Alpine. Krusemark joins Rab after 14 years with outdoor apparel company Kuhl, including the past 10 as the company’s director of sales. “Ryan is highly regarded throughout the industry and he brings a wealth of sales experience to the team along with a passion for providing true support for our retail partners,” said Rab U.S. country manager Jon Frederick. “Ryan will be leading our team of independent reps as we continue to introduce premium and sustainable products to specialty retailers and customers across the country.” m m