MSR (Mountain Safety Research), the Seattle-based manufacturer of high-performance outdoor equipment, announced the promotion of Chris Parkhurst from director of MSR Alpine and Snow Tools to vice president of MSR. In his new position, Parkhurst will take on profit and loss responsibility as well as create product, marketing, and sales strategy to support and grow the MSR brand.
“Chris is a proven leader. As director of MSR Alpine and Snow Tools, he recruited, developed, and motivated a high-performance team to build sales, driving extgeneration snowshoes, poles, and tools,” said Joe McSwiney, president of Cascade Designs, the parent company of MSR. “He is both an outdoorsman and an entrepreneur; an engineer and an executer.”
As director of MSR Alpine and Snow Tools, Parkhurst managed the global Alpine division’s profit and loss, created long-term strategic plans, and led MSR Snowshoes to the number one position in market share.
“It’s an honor to build upon the core principles that has made MSR revered among outdoor enthusiasts.The future is going to be very exciting as we move MSR into a new chapter of ground-breaking innovation for our users,” Parkhurst said.
Parkhurst will lead a team dedicated to product development, marketing and sales. The leading team is comprised of Jane Mauser, marketing director for MSR; Fletcher Andrews, sales manager for MSR; Steve Grind, category director for stoves, cookware, and tents; Chris Barchet, category director for snowshoes, poles, and tools; and Owen Mesdag, product manager for MSR.
