ASB MAGAZINE: Boardriders Inc., announced today that Arne Arens will be joining the company as incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1. Arne Arens is a deeply experienced global operator, executive, and brand builder. Arne hails from the Netherlands, speaks five languages, and served over ten years at VF Corporation where he was most recently Global Brand President of The North Face, having previously held leadership roles for the brand in both Europe and the Americas. Prior to his time at VF, Arens spent eight years at Nike where he held several marketing and commercial roles and led the company’s football business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland during a period of rapid growth. Earlier in his career, Arens was a management consultant and professional volleyball player. He is a mentor to starting entrepreneurs in several industries and has also served on the Board of the Conservation Alliance, working alongside brands like Patagonia, REI and Kelty to protect North America’s wild places.
Commenting on Arne Arens leadership skill set, Scott Mellin Global VP, Mountain Sports at The North Face said, “I have a huge respect for Arne. His ability to manage large global organizations and the volume of projects in a multi-billion-dollar enterprise is unrivaled. He manages with empathy and grace, but with a focus on execution and results. We accomplished a host of projects together including Globalizing the brand, (The North Face) Purpose and Values, Multi-year Strategic Planning, Product Innovations (Future Light, AMK, Vectiv) and did it all with the spirit of fun and trust. He’s a unique leader.”
Arens succeeds outgoing CEO Dave Tanner who will remain on the Company’s Board of Directors.
Incoming CEO Arne Arens said, “I am thrilled to be joining Boardriders not only for the opportunity to lead its portfolio of world-class brands in their next phase of growth, but also to work with its amazing and talented global team. As a former athlete and avid boardrider myself, I appreciate the passionate communities, culture, and lifestyle our brands represent. And as an experienced action sports executive, I know this industry, its people, and markets and am certain the best is yet to come for our brands. I want to thank Dave for his years of strong leadership of the company and partnership, Oaktree and our Board of Directors for their trust and confidence going forward, and my fellow Boardriders associates for all their hard work to date—and most importantly for the amazing future we will create, together.”
About Boardriders Inc.:
Boardriders, Inc., is a leading action sports and lifestyle company that designs, produces and distributes branded apparel, footwear and accessories for Boardriders around the world. The Company’s apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people who are inspired by a passion for outdoor action sports. The Company’s Quiksilver, Billabong, ROXY, DC Shoes, RVCA , and Element brands have authentic roots and heritage in surf, snow and skate. The Company’s products are sold in more than 110 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, skate shops, snow shops, its proprietary Boardriders shops and other Company-owned retail stores, other specialty stores, select department stores and through various e- commerce channels..
SOURCES: PR NEWSWIRE, THE NORTH FACE & LINKEDIN
