Bike

Moto & Powersports

Outdoor

Snow

Surf

Triathlon

Health & Fitness

Travel

Fitness

Photography

Active/healthy lifestyle

Board of Directors Member

Other

Product design, development, sourcing and marketing executive with 25+ years of brand building experience creating market-leading, innovative products and category introductions.  A continuously evolving, successful and focused management career in the sporting goods industry, recognized for achievements in a broad range of performance-oriented products.  An effective communicator who emphasizes leadership with team effort. 

Expertise in complete concept-to-market process: strategic planning, visionary conceptual thinking, innovation, directing product design/development, material applications, tooling development, manufacturing processes, product testing, diverse international sourcing, cost negotiation/margin analysis, budget planning, packaging/merchandising creative, production planning, product marketing, category management and operations/sales support.

A life-long interest in product performance grew out of the many years competing at an elite level in ski racing, at the Stratton Mtn. School, with the U.S. Ski Team and the University of Vermont.  A product oriented career started as the USA Product Manager with Fischer Skis, progressed to Franklin Sports as a Product Division Manager and Director of New Business Development.  This led to the position of VP Product Design & Development at United Sports Brands.  The career experience combined with being an avid cyclist throughout life generated a position on the Board of Directors with Project Bike Tech, a non-profit organization.

International Manufacturing & Sourcing Experience
100+ trips to Asia / Worldwide factories, including: China, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Canada, El Salvador, Mexico, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, United Kingdom and Ukraine

Manufacturing Experience: Advanced Molding Processes, Composites, Circular Knitting, Cut & Stitch, Foam Bonding, Heat Transfer, High Frequency, Flat Knitting, Lamination, Laser Cutting, Metal Fabrication, Neoprene, Pattern Making, PU Bonding, Rapid Prototyping, Size Scaling, Sublimation and Warp Knitting

Molding Experience: Blow molding, Composite, Compression, EPP/EPS, Expanded PU, Injection, Insert/Dual, Lasting, Mandrel, Micro Injection, Rotation, Thermal, Vacuum and Tooling Design/Development

Primary Category Experience:  Base Layer Apparel/Protective, Braces/Sports Therapy, Core/Primary Protective, Gloves, Helmets, Goalie Masks, Hockey Sticks & Skates, Performance Insoles & Socks, Ski Boots & Skis, Sport Gear Bags and Sport Trainers/Goals


Participate in Board of Directors volunteer initiatives that support Project Bike Tech / Snow Tech program development and operational needs for the non-profit organization.  Contribute to curriculum content as related to product design, development and manufacturing,  providing information associated with both educational and career opportunities the PBT / ST programs can utilize for the ongoing enhancement of the student's classroom experience.  The curriculum content for Project Snow Tech to be developed for the expansion of this adjacent program.

Project Bike Tech helps schools and communities establish classrooms and then provides support to help each program thrive. PBT’s Bike Tech in School takes it from there, using bicycles and bicycle mechanics to teach students everything from geometry to city planning while helping students look at bikes as a sustainable source of transportation, a road to healthy living and a means for connecting with the outdoors.  With participation in PBT's program students gain valuable skills and knowledge, providing experience that supports pursuing associated employment opportunities and an awareness of how to approach a career in the related bike industry.  Project Snow Tech will be an added future program when the curriculum is completed and the industry has aligned with the support of its introduction.

* Managed Shock Doctor & McDavid sports medicine and Cutters baseball protective product design and development
* Supported base layer protective performance apparel categories
* Directed internal product designers/developers and managed external design firm from concept through product introduction
* Evaluated competing brands/products and market trends
* Researched and implemented advanced materials/manufacturing
* Managed factory selection, relationships, cost negotiations and manufacturing from samples to first production
* Integral role planning & executing production move from China to Vietnam, including: factory inspections, cost-reduction   negotiations, production-spec approvals and capacity planning
* Supported departmental requirements including: strategic planning, packaging development/sourcing, merchandising, production planning, sales training and account presentations
* Presented products at ISPO, international/USA sales meetings
* Managed co-branded protective product collaboration with     Troy Lee Designs – Corona, CA
* Iowa State University Industrial Design Program (2014 - 2019); advisory board member, guest lecturer, studio class instructor support, established and managed USB sponsored internships, senior studio class and senior/graduate projects


VP Product Design & Development

* Managed product design and development for all protective, performance base layer and sports therapy product categories
* Analyzed market trends and competing brands/products for strategic planning and category growth opportunities
* Directed external design firm in extensive product design, development and project management for multiple categories
* Coordinated factory selection and manufacturing integration process from approval samples to first production
* Managed factory relationships, communication, cost negotiation
* Supported departmental requirements including: marketing creative, packaging development/sourcing, merchandising, production planning, sales training and account presentations
* Initiated and managed co-branded protective product collaboration with Troy Lee Designs – Corona, CA


* Utilized strategic marketing and product development skills to establish new category growth opportunities
* Evaluated and presented potential new businesses segments to senior management
* Established RIVAL FORCE™ Action Sports brand, creating and launching the Battle M.A.X.™ backyard youth paintball game
* Directed team of designers/engineers/product managers through all phases of design, development and first production
* Managed marketing plan and advertising/PR agency schedules
* Directed product photo shoots, marketing creative, product in-pack/promo DVDs and production of TV direct-sale infomercial
* Managed web-development team in creation of interactive site 
* Established product awareness campaign and managed activation with Dew Action Sports Tour, Verizon Wireless and Sports Illustrated for Kids


Director of New Business Development

* Managed product design, development and marketing support for $30M ice/roller hockey & inline skating division
* Analyzed market trends and competitive brands for strategic product category planning
* Presented product development line reviews and annual division business plan to senior management
* Achieved category margin goals through selective sourcing and factory cost negotiation
* Coordinated testing, certification requirements with QC manager 
* Managed manufacturer selection, process/material requirements and first production integration
* Directed creative requirements and prepared product copy for related packaging, catalogs and POS/merchandising
* Presented products at sales meetings and trade shows
* Analyzed sales forecast, production plans, inventory projections 
* Supported coordination of marketing, advertising creative/media plan, public relations and promotional programs


Division / Product Manager - Hockey

* Developed international private label promotional sports apparel and licensed apparel programs
* Established and managed OEM brand programs with Arena North America, Descente America, Diadora USA/UK/Italy, Dunlop-Slazenger, Spalding Sports Worldwide, Speedo Europe, Raichle/Fischer Ski USA
* Evaluated brand’s product lines, market position and promotional apparel sales strategy targets
* Developed program strategies, price/margin structure, production timetables and sales forecasts
* Coordinated product design/development, sourcing and manufacturing of Cyrk Sport products for managed programs 
* Established and managed license program with York Barbell, creating York Workout Wear, introduced at SGMA Super Show


Senior Account Manager / License Program Manager

* Managed product categories and supported marketing/sales planning of Fischer skis & Dynafit ski boots in the US market
* Analyzed competitors’ programs and created category strategies
* Developed new product lines with Fischer/Dynafit R&D (Austria)
* Prepared technical training manuals, retail sales training clinic formats and presented products at SIA & buying group shows 
* Supported management of sales territory performance 
* Coordinated industry/consumer product testing reviews
* Organized Fischer Demonstration Ski Team USA (lead skier)


Product Manager / Assistant to VP Marketing

* Founded agency to sell Fischer skis, Dynafit boots, Leki poles
* Expanded distribution with brands previously weak in region
* Managed territory strategy plan, forecasts and training clinics
* Created and managed program of 25 area representatives
* Presented product lines at regional and SIA trade shows


Founder / Ski Manufacturers' Sales Representative

Find out detailed information about Bill Best, Board of Directors Member in Boulder, CO

Bill Best: Board of Directors Member in Boulder, CO

Bill Best

Project Bike Tech / Snow Tech - Non Profit Organization

United Sports Brands (CA)

United Sports Brands / Shock Doctor Sports (MN)

Franklin Sports (MA)

Franklin Sports (MA)

Cyrk Sport (MA)

Fischer Skis - America (MA)

B-Best Enterprises (CT)

Stratton Mountain School

University of Vermont