REI Hires Industry Veteran Eric Artz as CFO
Mar 22, 2012
National outdoor retail cooperative, REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), announced today that retail and outdoor industry veteran Eric Artz will join the company as chief financial officer in May. Artz comes to REI from Urban Outfitters, Inc., a leading lifestyle specialty retail company operating under the Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain and BHLDN brands.
Artz has been at Urban Outfitters since early 2010. Prior to joining the Philadelphia-based company, he had a 17-year career with VF Corporation and several of its affiliates, including VF Contemporary Brands, which consists of 7 For All Mankind, Splendid and Ella Moss; and VF Outdoor, which includes brands such as The North Face, JanSport and Eagle Creek, among others. His roles have included CFO and executive-level oversight of divisional, corporate and international operations.
“REI is very fortunate to attract a CFO with Eric’s breadth and depth of experiences. In addition to his financial expertise, Eric has a deep understanding of multichannel retail, plus operations experience in supply chain, product development, sourcing and international. These skills, combined with his industry experience and passion for the outdoors, make him an exceptional addition to our team,” said Sally Jewell, REI president and CEO. “Eric’s experience with growth companies and his understanding of the systems, processes and financial management needed for thoughtful expansion will be invaluable to REI as we grow to meet the needs of our existing and future members and customers.”
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 188 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.