Arc’teryx Taps 17-Year Nike Veteran Matt Bolte as Chief Merchandising Officer + Announces Other Leadership Appointments
Arc’teryx has announced several leadership appointments, including the addition of 17-year Nike veteran Matt Bolte as its chief merchandising officer.
In his new role, Arc’teryx stated Bolte will be responsible for the strategic direction of merchandising, planning, programming and business development across all product categories.
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Bolte’s career is replete with retail leadership roles and spans nearly 35 years. Most recently, he was a partner at advisory and innovation lab ThenWhat Inc. Prior to ThenWhat Inc., he held several positions for more than 17 years at Nike Inc., ending his time with the athletic giant as its vice president of category merchandising for Asia-Pacific/Latin America, according to his LinkedIn.
“Matt’s deep expertise in executing complex, global merchandising strategies and extensive industry experience will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our leadership position in both our technical outdoor and premium apparel businesses,” Arc’teryx chief executive officer Stuart Haselden said in a statement. “Over the past year, the merchandising team has undergone a transformative journey. With Matt’s deep understanding of merchandising and his passion for the Arc’teryx brand, he is an excellent fit for this role.”
What’s more, Arc’teryx announced Marissa Pardini — whose resume includes nearly 12 years at Vans — as the general manager of its high-end clothing brand Veilance. Arc’Teryx stated she will oversee Veilance’s global strategy as GM, “ensuring alignment with the brand’s mission of delivering precision-engineered apparel for urban environments.”
Pardini, in her second stint with the brand, most recently served as Vans’ chief product and merchandising officer. Her experience also includes stops at The North Face and Bloomingdale’s.
Also, Arc’Teryx announced Ben Stubbington, who most recently was the senior vice president of design for Lululemon, will assume Veilance’s creative director role. Stubbington’s resume also includes stops at Theory, Rogan/Loomstate and Calvin Klein.
“The addition of Marissa and Ben to our Veilance team marks a pivotal moment in our journey as we double down on our commitment to innovation and excellence with this unique line in the Arc’teryx collection,” Haselden said in a statement. “Their combined leadership and innovative thinking will be instrumental in elevating Veilance as a leader in the performance luxury space.”
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
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