Tory Upham Email & Phone Number

Bend, Oregon, Us

Chief Executive Officer at an innovative, PE-backed “drinkWEAR” category creator and Inc. 5000 winner (#1 Product company in Oregon), responsible for overseeing all commercial and financial operations, with direct reporting to the Board. Drive brand strategy and cross-functional execution, aligning short-term objectives with long-term value creation. Responsible for developing and executing a 3-year strategic plan, growing brand awareness and EBITDA performance, optimizing SG&A and headcount, and formalizing go-to-market processes for enhanced synergy. Successfully led and secured Series B funding, while fostering a people-centered culture and expanding external impact through Puffin’s “Good Together” program.

New York, Ny, Us

Board Member - Engenuity Outdoor Equipment: The merged group (DK2, SnowBear, Currahee Trailers, WoodMaxx) is a leading North American manufacturer of 250+ products in outdoor power equipment and utility trailer category. With a robust omni-channel distribution network, a diverse product line-up, and focus on the small to medium-scale outdoor equipment, the Brands have earned a winning position with retailers, pro-sumers, DIY homeowners, landscapers, ranchers, and farmers.Operating Advisor - Ronin Equity Partners: Support, collaborate, and advise Ronin Equity Partners regarding new and / or existing investment opportunities. Leverage operational experience and industry relationships to maximize insights and value creation.Ronin Equity Partners makes control equity investments in the Industrial and Consumer sectors. Utilizing operational expertise, Ronin Equity Partners has a proven track record of driving value creation from deal underwriting to exit. www.roninequitypartners.com

Executive lead with global responsibility for all commercial, operational, and finance functions for both CushCore and Kreft Moto. Led strategic planning process development and roll-out with internal (5 direct reports) and external global partners. Increased brand awareness and omni-channel category growth. Collaborated and supported the Owner / Lead Engineer in maximizing the innovation plan through a winning go-to-market strategy. CushCore and Kreft Moto are sister companies who design and manufacture premium products for two-wheel enthusiasts. Patented innovations include CushCore bike tire inserts (in-tire suspension system with a tune-able air spring and foam damper) and Revalve Control (instant suspension adjustment system for off-road motorcycles). As the original performance bike tire insert, CushCore dominates the mountain bike industry and has earned multiple World Cup Championships.

Torrance, California, Us

Global responsibility for commercial, financial, product, and operational brand management. Developed and implemented short and long-term strategic initiatives to maximize Dakine’s presence within current and new outdoor / action sports, travel, and lifestyle categories. Executed go to market plan through innovative product development, omni-channel retail and distributor relationship management, and dynamic marketing. Hired and integrated team and Dakine brand after business unit relocation to Los Angeles headquarters. Delivered overall brand financial plan (sales, margin, inventory, OpEx) while concurrently implementing new ERP (Oracle), FlexPLM, and B2B platforms.

Broomfield, Colorado, Us

Executive role with sales management responsibility & product / marketing oversight for established & emerging own brands, SMU & licensed products. Growth-focused role with emphasis on new brand development & expanding omni-channel distribution. Managed global sales & channel marketing team of 24 (5 direct reports) to deliver revenue plan brand placements with our most strategic retailer partners. Secured 2 new brand placements at 2 marquee retailers totaling $17M and 40 SMUs within 1 year. Managed all Licensor & select Asia Factory-direct relationships. Implemented Ecomm channel strategy (at the item level) resulting in improved turns and margin performance as well as double digit sales growth withing 6 months. P&L & inventory forecasting responsibility including U.S. factory raw materials & production scheduling.Exxel Outdoors is the largest U.S. sleeping bag manufacturer and perennial winner of Inc. 5000 Award. www.exxel.com

Broomfield, Colorado, Us

Led Sales, Marketing, Product, and Operations teams for Mass Market brands (Wenzel, Serta, Kid's Licensed, X20 Watersports, Suisse Sport, Private Label) and Outfitter Group brands (Slumberjack, Master Sportsman). Revenue contribution totaling more than two-thirds Company portfolio. Full P&L, budgeting, reporting, and EBITDA responsibility for the overall global business unit. Execute multi-channel go to market strategy to deliver forecasted financial results within the Sporting Goods, Specialty Outdoor, E-Commerce, and Mass Merchant channels. Direct report to the President; key member of the Executive Steering Committee; Board of Directors meeting participant.

Broomfield, Colorado, Us

Co-managed the P&L, budget, and EBITDA for the Company's largest business unit (2/3 overall Company revenue). Led U.S. and global sales team for Exxel Outdoors including select brands from 2015 acquisition of AmericanRec, an iconic outdoor and camping company (Kelty, Slumberjack, Sierra Designs, Wenzel, Ultimate Direction). Focused on the Sporting Goods, Mass Merchant, and Ecommerce Channels, manage branded, private label, and licensed business while reporting to the President. Key member of the due diligence acquisition team, Steering Committee, and participant at Board of Directors meetings.

Broomfield, Colorado, Us

Managed U.S. and international sales for a global leader in the outdoor equipment & apparel category. Reported to the CEO, active Executive Team member contributing across all business units for Inc. 5000 award-winning manufacturer and licensee. Exxel Outdoors is the largest sleeping bag manufacturer in U.S. and offers branded, licensed, and private label products. (www.exxel.com)Promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales to distinguish and recognize a heightened level of executive authority, contribution, and responsibility within the Company.

Broomfield, Colorado, Us

Promoted to VP, Sales and selected as member of Senior Management Team (1 of 4) due to increased involvement in corporate and executive planning, Board of Advisors implementation, and overall Company and top-line growth. Managed team of 5 Direct Reports and complete Profit / Loss and budget responsibility for Domestic and International Sales business unit.

Broomfield, Colorado, Us

Managed U.S. sales operation for leading global manufacturer of outdoor recreational equipment. Supplied branded, licensed, and private label outdoor, camping, and watersports products to top sporting goods, mass and online retailers. Identified, forecasted, managed, and achieved sales goals, new market opportunities and customer strategies. Participated in the product design and development process. Interviewed, hired, and directed sales force and rep groups to deliver Sales Plan. Established compensation plans including salary, commissions, and bonuses. Developed and negotiated Retailer Marketing Partnership Programs.

Coordinated and led sales activities driving distribution and product line expansion for a privately owned and leading Chinese factory specialized in the Outdoor Living and Camping category. Initiated, set, conducted, and managed North American and International sales cycles and presentations with leading retailers and mass merchants. Direct line communication with factory owner and across all company departments including manufacturing, design, finance, human resources.

Oversaw sales, marketing, purchasing, finance and all other aspects involved in running retail golf chain. Formulated and managed top-line and bottom-line goals and financial targets. Negotiated and executed acquisition of a regional competitor which increased company revenues by 30% within 12 months. Conducted financial analysis and implemented organization and process improvements in conjunction with the CFO. Performed weekly meetings with Management Staff and Retail Management to ensure accountability and success against goals.

Managed the revenue, marketing plan, and employees for 4 retail stores with direct reporting to the President & CEO. Hiring, firing, reviewing and training responsibility for 25 employees. Managed landlord relations, oversaw leasehold improvements, evaluated new store sites and expansion opportunities. Increased YOY revenue by operating new revenue streams, improving retail operations, and expanding retail marketing initiatives and vendor co-op.

Improved retail management processes, communication, and performance. Reported to the VP / GM in a Management Staff capacity. Created, sourced funding for, and implemented annual marketing plan. Selected and managed advertising agency, media buys and public relations. Initiated and executed chain-wide merchandising and branding standards.

Norwalk, Connecticut, Us

Championed the implementation of high-end Xerox solutions. Struck and developed relationships with C-level officers. Worked all levels of the organiz-ation to establish corporate standards in support of enterprise-wide solutions. Delivered on $1.4M annual revenue plan while achieving monthly targets.

Norwalk, Connecticut, Us

Supported Document Solutions Executive in growing monthly billing of existing client base by 20%. Generated new leads within existing and competitive accounts. Managed $750K annual revenue target. Received “MVP” award.

Plano, Texas, Us

Acted as Route Sales Rep while training for District Sales Leader position. Managed activities of sales representatives to assist in reaching sales objectives. Operated a $100K, 5 account route with 10% annual growth targets.

Plano, Texas, Us

Developed and rolled-out "Merchandising for Growth" handbook to optimize regional product mix, distribution, and margin performance.

Bs, Double-Majored In Management And Entrepreneurial Studies

Finance