Bike

Fashion

Lifestyle

Outdoor

Snow

Surf

Swim

Triathlon

Yoga

Health & Fitness

Family & friends

My professional career in the sporting goods industry started with two family businesses located in Portland, Oregon. My family owned and operated Danner Boots for 10 years from 1986 to 1995. I started as a sales rep covering the Northwest territory and was promoted to Assistant National Sales Manager in 1994 calling on key accounts- Cabela’s, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, LL Bean, Orvis, Adventure 16, REI, and AAFES. We sold Danner to LaCrosse Footwear in 1995. 

My family purchased InSport International in 1996. As a sales rep, I managed the Mid-Atlantic territory. I was promoted to National Sales Manager in 1997 focusing on key accounts and international sales. In 1999, my father passed away and I took over InSport as President and CEO. We sold InSport to Vital Sportswear in 2006.

I was hired by Nike in 2007 to lead their US running business in the newly formed category sales structure. Focusing on the run specialty channel, I was able to improve their running specialty footwear market share from #6 to #3. I was laid off in a company wide RIF in 2009. 

In 2010, I began work at Columbia Sportswear. My responsibilities encompassed all of the specialty categories at Columbia. The Product Line Sales Manager role was a bridge between the product team, sales team, and customers. I was laid off in a company wide RIF in 2012. 

Looking to make a change in my career and experience the industry outside of Portland, I accepted a role with Roxy/Quiksilver in 2012. As Vice President of Sales for the newly formed division Roxy-Outdoor Fitness, I launched the category in the sporting goods and outdoor specialty channels. 

I joined Zoot Sports in 2013 as National Sales Manager and was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 2016. After moving back to Portland so my son could finish high school, I joined OTTO DesignWorks as VP Global Sales in April, 2017, successfully launching OTTOLOCK into all channels of distribution.

I joined WL Gore in May 2019 as the US Sales Leader for the GORE Wear brand. Leading all aspects of the wholesale business, we successfully transitioned the business to a distributor & key account model. I was laid off in November of 2020 in a company wide RIF. I teamed up with Thousand in December of 2020.

Leading all aspects of the Wholesale division, brought strategic framework and senior leadership to start-up. Motivated and inspired team of 2 internal sales staff, 13 external sales reps, and 7 international distributors to exceed all 2021 department & sales goals. Reporting directly to the CEO, I'm a key contributor to Leadership Team- hosting and leading first ever Leadership Offsite.
• +123% YOY increase
• +244% increase in Distributors- Germany, Benelux, Denmark, Switzerland, Spain, Korea, Australia
• +210% increase in Key Accounts- REI, Brompton, Nordstrom
• +57% increase in Specialty
• 100% to overall forecast
• Opened Backcountry, Best Buy, Rad Power, Title Nine
• Leading all aspects of account management for REI, Backcountry, Best Buy, and Distributors
• Increased GM through updating commission levels and distributor discounts

Vice President of Global Sales

GORE Wear
Implemented turn-around plan in North America increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. Responsible for transitioning the wholesale model from brick & mortar to digital/e-tail. Moved focus to a Key Account and distributor model, streamlining the GTM process. Led team of 7 company & independent salespeople.
• +15% increase in Spring/Summer '20 bookings
• +22% increase in Fall/Winter '20 bookings- largest increase from all global regions
• +32% increase from Key Accounts in 2020 bookings
• Leading all aspects of account management for REI, Backcountry, Competitive Cyclist, Moosejaw, The House, Running Warehouse, Velotech, Gregg's, River City Bicycles
• Opened QBP, evo, Gazelle Sports
• Increased GM +4%

Sales Leader

Led the transformation and transition from Kickstarter start-up to global brand with sustainable distribution and Go-To-Market strategies.  Responsibilities included; top line revenue growth, bottom line margin targets, sales program development, product forecasting and allocation, strategic account leadership, sales operations execution & management, region/channel/segment identification and penetration.
• Grew sales from $900,000 in 2017 to $2.9M in 2018, booked $5.5M sales in 2019
• Placed product in REI- 34 stores and online, and MEC- 22 stores and online
• Opened three major bicycle distributors- Quality Bicycle Products, J&B Distributors, and KHS
• Established relationship with ACE Hardware and online via The Grommet
• Opened ecommerce sites- Backcountry, Title Nine, Campsaver, Evo, Clever Training, Excel Sports, and Velotech.  Established Amazon FBA.
• Successfully opened international distributors in EU, UK, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada

Vice President Global Sales

Led all aspects of the US and global sales and marketing efforts including; distribution planning, sales and product forecasting, sales force optimization, account management, inventory control, DTC campaigns, marketing and promotional activities, and organize and lead all seasonal sales meetings.
• Sales force transformation- replaced 6 regions with new sales reps, reversing negative sales trends
• Key account leadership- placed footwear in Road Runner Sports and Luke's Locker, led Amazon strategy
• +18% increase in preseason orders for 2016
• +22% increase in net sales 2015 vs. 2014
• Transitioning sales distribution from Triathlon to Run- opened 40+ running specialty accounts

Vice President Global Sales & Marketing

Responsible for both top line revenue growth and bottom-line profitability for- Base Layer, Accessories, Collegiate, Equipment, Camping, and Socks- $100M business.  Established and executed long-term growth strategy for the categories, across all channels of distribution.  Worked directly with the product teams on product, pricing, and programs that accomplished set goals.
• Successfully launched base layer product in specialty and sporting goods channels, booking $7.5M in first season, capturing over 6% market share
• Increased sales in every category, growing the Fall '11 business +40% and Spring '12 +35%
• Sustainability Committee member

Product Line Sales Manager

Established distribution strategies based on retailer and consumer type.  Implemented directive selling into the distribution pyramid in order to provide the proper assortments to the running consumer where they shop, differentiating the marketplace and allowing for further sales growth and profitability for Nike and their retail partners. Changed trajectory of sales expectations and results in the Running Specialty Group (RSG) channel by establishing a mentality and work ethic to be #1.
• FY'08 bookings +9% US, +30% RSG.  Responsibilities encompassed men's and women's running footwear, apparel, equipment, Nike+, and all channels of distribution.  Category volume= $980M
• RSG footwear market share climbed from #6 to #3.  RSG sales force awarded Sales Team of the Year
• Provided leadership to 4 regional sales managers and 15 sales reps

Running Category Sales Director

Directed and lead all aspects of family business including; seasonal line development, sales and marketing strategy, production schedules, logistics, domestic and international customer relations. Along with annual budgets and banking relationship.
• Awarded $2.2M contract by the U.S. Army to manufacture physical fitness uniforms
• Opened wholly owned European subsidiary, forming joint venture with Etonic brand running shoes
• Led team of 30 employees to 6 straight years of profitability
National Sales Manager	Managed all aspects of sales force and sales department, including distributor relationships in Japan and Europe.
• Increased sales from $15M to $17.7M (+18%) and managed 25 independent salespeople
• Successfully placed product with: Big Box-Sports Authority, Dick's, Chain- Lady Foot Locker, Online/Catalog- Road Runner and Title 9, and Specialty- Fleet Feet Sports

National Sales Manager

Joined family business after graduating college, ensuring consistent product knowledge among company sales force and assisted on key account sales calls ensuring sales plans were met.  Headed uniform sales- military & police and represented brand at all trade shows.
• Met or exceeded sales plans each season, calling on specialty outdoor retailers, key accounts, and military.  Key accounts included- Cabela's, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, REI

Assistant National Sales Manager

Find out detailed information about Eric Merk,  in Portland, OR

Eric Merk: in Portland, OR

Eric Merk

Loyola Marymount University

Stanford University