Mark K. Comstock Joins REI to Lead Real Estate and Store Development
Oct 18, 2010
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national co-op providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today announced Mark K. Comstock has joined the co-op in the newly created role of vice president, Real Estate and Store Development.
Mark’s leadership responsibilities include new store site acquisition and development, management of REI’s growing companywide portfolio of real estate assets, and facilities management of the co-op’s headquarters in Kent, Wash. The company currently operates 113 stores across the country; its Columbia, Md. store opens in early November.
“With more than 25 years of real estate and store development experience, Mark brings great talent to our organization as we navigate the complex commercial real estate market,” said Ivar Chhina, REI executive vice president and chief financial officer. “His leadership complements our focus on our continued strategic growth, in which we’re making a significant investment.”
Mark most recently served as vice president, Real Estate and Facilities for T-Mobile USA, a national provider of wireless voice, data and messaging services. At T-Mobile, he led the Operating Real Estate group with responsibility for the administrative, technical and warehouse real estate portfolio. Previously, he served as vice president, Real Estate and Asset Management at Eddie Bauer, Inc.; led leasing, design, construction and facilities at Egghead Software; and was associate general counsel and vice president, Retail Development for a regional real estate developer based in Bellevue, Wash.
“I am very excited to join the REI team and have long admired the co-op professionally and personally as a customer,” said Comstock. “The company is well positioned to serve our members and customers through new stores, expansions and remodels while we utilize these locations to help welcome and introduce individuals to healthy outdoor lifestyles.”
Comstock is a Puget Sound native. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University.
About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 23 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 184 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.