REI Promotes Ligtenberg to VP of Retail

REI announced Rachel Ligtenberg’s promotion to vice president of retail following a 25-year tenure with the co-op. In her new role, she adds Retail Operations to her current responsibilities of leading Store Design, Visual Merchandising and the co-op’s flagship strategy, and continues to report to Tim Spangler, senior vice president of Retail.

Ligtenberg will continue to enhance REI’s retail experience through new store design concepts, says the retailer. The co-op currently operates 141 stores in 33 states, including four flagship locations in Seattle, Denver, Bloomington, Minn. and New York. REI’s fifth flagship location will open in the historic Uline Arena in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2016.

“Rachel is an inspiring leader and advocate for change, always pushing REI and our employees to connect with our members in richer ways,” said Jerry Stritzke, REI’s president and CEO. “She leads by collaborating with her teams, and has the expertise and passion to help the co-op create engaging in-store experiences.”

Ligtenberg joined the co-op after college as a sales associate in the Sacramento store. She served as the general manager of the Seattle flagship store for seven years before becoming director of Visual Merchandising and later regional vice president of retail.