Jerry Stritzke named President and CEO of REI
Photo at right: REI president and CEO Jerry Stritzke
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) named Jerry Stritzke as its new president and CEO following an extensive national search. Stritzke, who most recently served as president and COO of Coach, Inc., will join REI beginning Oct. 1, 2013.
He will be the the seventh president in REI’s 75-year history, replacing former President and CEO, Sally Jewell, who left the company in April when she was confirmed as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“REI’s board set high standards in pursuing the company’s next CEO,” said Board Chair John Hamlin. “Jerry brings to REI an outstanding record of success in all aspects of specialty retail, particularly brand building, operations and customer insights.”
Coach recently announced Stritzke’s resignation, effective Sept. 2, 2013. Stritzke joined Coach in 2008 and helped guide the company through the recession and increase sales from $2.6 billion to $5.1 billion. The company’s sales include global revenues from retail, e-commerce and wholesale divisions.
“I’m enthusiastic to join REI and work for such an iconic brand and respected employer,” said Stritzke. “It’s a great opportunity for me to combine my professional expertise with the outdoor activities I personally enjoy.”
