Richard Meade Email & Phone Number

Bellingham, Wa, Us

Pacific Northwest

Leading REI Co-op Brands (private label) team in foundational activity categories of Backpacking & Camping. My role is to collaboratively construct and execute product strategy to position for the future. My team and I manage life cycle and positioning of over 200 styles in tents, backpacks, sleep, furniture and camp gear.

Greater Seattle Area

I established Alpine Pacific Consulting LLC to address company specific, priority opportunities on a project basis. Completed work to date has included: *Retail strategies- optimizing sales for changing marketplace*Market orientation/ validation for new products*Category Compliance & Standards- PFC / PFAS transition, CA Prop65, REI Product Impact, FR chemistry (tents)*Sales Management - including vetting independent reps, channel strategy and MAP policies*Brand Partnership alignment - creating brand-positive association to drives sales and visibility*Go-to-market strategies - to establish comprehensive view and timeline*Key account optimization - navigating complex organizations with multiple touchpointsAdvise on categories including : Overlanding, Snowsports, Outdoor Accessories, Backpacking, Footwear*Clients have included - Sea to Summit, SnowPeak, and others.

Greater Seattle Area

Led the North American subsidiary of Sealskinz (waterproof socks & gloves) with US staff and independent rep agencies serving national and specialty accounts. P&L responsibility• Sales: Grew first fiscal year by 48%. Managed complete product line transition successfully. Led tailored sales presentations to key national accounts including BassPro, West Marine and REI. Opened new accounts and sales agencies. Created MAP policy. Managed through Covid-19 impacts and arranged PPP loan.• Logistics/Ops: Shifted global processes : Established top seller “never out” approach to inventory, established seasonal “drop list” process to focus investments, and established global KPIs for leadership.

Greater Seattle Area

The mission of NWAC is to save lives and reduce the impacts of avalanches on recreation, industry and transportation in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains of Washington and northern Oregon through mountain weather and avalanche forecasting, data collection and education.Key volunteer contributions include:-Structuring and executing first formal executive director search-Structuring and leading first public board member solicitation, selection process and onboarding-Strategic planning emphasis with five year outlook with activity and community diversity perspectives-Envisioned and helped structure Backcountry Trailhead Outreach program (launched 2017)-Envisioned and helped structure high school Youth Ambassador program (launched 2018)-Serve on Executive, Diversity & Inclusion and Governance Committees

Greater Seattle Area

Led the North American subsidiary of Nikwax (UK based aftercare brand) with 10 employees and 12 independent rep agencies serving 600+ accounts. Full P&L responsibility.• Sales: In FY2016 beat previous sales by 6.9% (1.6% over budget). Hired Director of Sales, engage d key accounts strategy (REI, Amazon, Cabela’s, MEC, etc), evolved independent rep role. Focused company on new market entry and go-to-market launches.• Ops & Finance: Rebuilt inventory forecasting process and supply chain flow model.Developed, presented and executed annual budget. Conducted search and negotiated for new office. Budgeted and coordinated IT upgrades. Created monthly budget variance review with management team.• Human Resources: Baselined employee agreements, expectations and benefits. Built shared incentive plan and new performance review cycle. Made six hires and three promotions.• Marketing: collaborated on creative and disruptive events highlighting care, upgraded PR support, shifted to digital marketing spend.• Culture: Built increasingly flexible, resilient and problem solving company culture. Constructed values and vision foundation. Established regular 1:1 meeting expectations.• Constructed collaborative apparel and footwear brand partnerships on product care including WL Gore, Oboz, Black Diamond, 686, Helly Hansen, Simms Fishing, and others. Conversant in Higg Index, bluesign and PFC-free topics.

Greater Seattle Area

Led teams of 15 merchants in Camp/Climb, then Snow/Water. Accountable for divisional financial results, customer experience, team development and advancing cross-functional projects.• Consistently delivered growth - exceeded sales plans ($368M, +2.6% over plan in 2012)• Trusted mentor and development partner for peers, managers and staff across company• On behalf of all 130 merchants, led key divisional relationships with Marketing, Retail and Private Brands resulting in aligned execution and enhanced customer experience.• Successfully negotiated with top tier suppliers with multi-million dollar growth impact (ex: Black Diamond, Salomon, Smith Optics, The North Face, Burton, Scarpa, etc.)• Project experience includes: regional relevance, first to market / product launch, customer segmentation analysis, people development, organizational structure optimization, business intelligence, go to market ( GTM )strategy development, category management, marketing campaign strategies, and private brands development.

Greater Seattle Area

Player / Coach role leading 4 merchants. Accountable for department financial results, compelling product assortments, private and national brand relationships, and team development. Managed categories of Tents, Sleeping Bags, Packs, Travel, Food, Fly Fishing and Camp-Outlet.• Delivered growth - exceeded sales plans ($104M, +5% in 2010)• Led significant innovation and growth with private brand team including effective price positioning, impactful staff & customer go-to-market, and lifecycle management.• Provided industry-wide impact launching and engaging strategic dialog with key vendors at REI Leadership Conference for three consecutive years.• Specific project experience includes: go to market timeline / process coordination with key suppliers, core merchandising systems requirements contributor, REI Private Brand production flexibility

Greater Seattle Area

Financial and business analyst role building store sales plans and coordinating inventory to meet North East regional sales opportunities, 5yr planning needs and space/category optimization. Accomplishments: Delivered growth – exceeded sales plan ($131M – all 13 stores made plan 2007) Led REI's Regional Relevance project organizing 14 contributors, peer retailer exchanges (West Marine, Nordstrom) to deliver technology and process recommendations.

Greater Seattle Area

Pioneered entrepreneurial online role to drive rei.com sales. Accomplishments: Led REI’s online Ski and Cycle categories ($13.6MM 2001) achieving 25% growth. Built and grew a $2MM (2001) program of vendor links from $300K base in 2 years.

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Led team of 22 remote analysts via networked systems (email, video conference and phone) to deliver time-critical support to US forces and allies in a regional conflict. Recognized as "Civilian of the Year 1998" (of 92 candidates) for intuitive problem solving and predictive analysis.

Alexandria, Va

Served in a customer focused role to drive technology adoption for this mid-sized software & services company providing advanced data visualization (now part of Boeing). Contributed to successful contract bidding. Worked on customers' sites translating user need to technology staff.

Worldwide

Served in active duty and reserve positions of increasing responsibility across the globe in deployed, at-sea and land based roles. Retired as a Commander (O-5) after 20yrs of service.

Beaverton

Accountable for production flow and communication between manufacturing and sales. Recognized for timely delivery of $15M/month.

Mipp, Strategic Relationships

Michael G. Foster School Of Business, Executive Seminar, Accounting And Finance

Ba, International Studies

Jackson School of International Studies. Task Force Group.