REI is hoping technology can play a bigger role in better connecting people to the outdoors. The Seattle co-op announced Tuesday that it has created two new roles: its first chief digital officer and its first chief customer officer.
Curtis Kopf, who came to the outdoor retailer from Premara Blue Cross and previously spent time at Alaska Airlines, Microsoft and Amazon, is the new chief digital officer. He will be responsible for all of REI’s digital efforts, including REI.com and the REI app.
“I have always considered REI one of the iconic, mission-driven companies that sets the bar for everyone else,” Kopf said in a news release. “I love REI, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to ensure the co-op’s incredible culture shines through all of our digital platforms.”
Kopf will report to Ben Steele, formerly REI’s chief creative officer, who has been promoted to executive vice president and the company’s first chief customer officer.
Steele led such REI brand engagement efforts as #OptOutside and Force of Nature. He has previously served in creative and leadership roles at a variety of advertising and design agencies.
“We’re now seeing people discover the outdoors in new ways and at a pace that we’ve never seen before. While we often go outside to disconnect, we have also seen that technology can be a powerful enabler in helping people fall in love with the outdoors,” REI CEO Jerry Stritzke said in a statement. “These new roles reflect our belief that we can inspire outdoor adventures through all touchpoints: in stores, through guided outdoor experiences, in local communities and via thoughtful use of technology.”
— Element Data, a company that uses AI to help organizations make big decisions, tapped PushSpring co-founder Tyler Davidson to serve as the company’s new CEO. Davidson was most recently the chief revenue officer at PushSpring and was previously a VP at digital communications company Amdocs, where he oversaw relationships with companies including T-Mobile, Telus, MetroPCS, Cricket, and Clearwire.
Davidson replaces Geoff McDonald, Element Data’s co-founder and outgoing CEO. McDonald will now serve as the company’s chief revenue officer.
“Advances in machine learning and decision intelligence are making it possible to provide consumers with more personalized and contextually relevant experiences and recommendation,” Davidson said in a news release. “Element Data’s Decision Cloud platform … is redefining the way companies interact with their customers to drive more effective sales, marketing, retention and commerce.”
Element Data launched in 2016. In 2017, it acquired three companies and grew its funding to $7.8 million.
— Phytelligence, the Seattle-based agricultural biotechnology company, announced the hiring of a new chief business officer. Glen Donald will oversee the company’s sales, marketing and business development teams.
Donald’s experience in the agriculture and biotech industry includes a previous role as vice president of business development at Plant Health Care, Inc. He also served as CEO, director and chairman of Sonoplot, Inc., a technology start-up spun out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that sells instruments for scientific research applications.
At Phytelligence, Donald will support and manage the marketing team to “expand knowledge and continue raising visibility of the company,” according to a news release. He will also partner with the business development leads to grow revenue, navigate new crop segments and provide the highest quality products and services that align with the needs of growers.
“Glen’s experience in the industry adds immense value to Phytelligence’s leadership team,” Ken Hunt, CEO of Phytelligence, said in a statement. “His diverse leadership experience with companies of varying sizes, as well as in a university spin-out, will be instrumental as we look to expand our customer base and continue to provide excellent service to our growers at every turn.”
— Impinj, the maker of RFID tracking technology, announced the promotion of four sales and marketing leaders to the vice president level.
Carl Brasek is VP of silicon product management, overseeing the company’s integrated circuit teams; Todd Farley is VP of American Sales; Gaylene Meyer is VP of global marketing and communications; and Sandy Murti is VP of partner development. All of the new VPs previously worked in the same field at Impinj.
“I’m excited to recognize Carl, Todd, Gayle, and Sandy for their achievements within our integrated go-to-market sales, marketing, business-development, and services organizations,” Jeff Dossett, executive vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement. “These experienced leaders have driven success with our partners and customers while developing and executing the company’s overall strategy in industries including supply chain and logistics, retail, and healthcare.”
— Global digital marketing and branding company R/GA hired Tara Moss to lead the company’s office in Portland, Ore. Moss was most recently the head of consulting for marketing company Dentsu Aegis Network an has previously held executive roles at Adidas and marketing company Isobar.
