Patagonia named Jenna Johnson Head of Patagonia Inc. She will report to Gellert.
Patagonia has named a new CEO of Patagonia Works, the holding company for Patagonia Inc.
Ryan Gellert, who has overseen Patagonia’s EMEA business since joining the company in 2014, officially replaces former CEO Rose Marcario, who stepped down three months ago.
Prior to joining Patagonia, Gellert, who is a climber and backcountry snowboarder, was president of Black Diamond where he worked for nearly nine years. His roles there included VP of Supply Chain Management and Managing Director based in China.
Patagonia said its board of directors liked Gellert’s international experience as well as his commitment to the company’s mission and values.
Patagonia made two other big executive changes. Jenna Johnson, who previously led Patagonia’s technical outdoor business, has been named Head of Patagonia, Inc. where she will oversee Patagonia’s apparel and equipment division.
Lisa Williams, who joined Patagonia’s product team in 2001, will assume a new executive role as Head of Innovation, Design and Merchandising.
“I am honored and humbled for the opportunity and keenly aware of the responsibility to lead this company in this critical time,” Gellert said in a statement. “No one’s expectations of Patagonia are higher than our own. Everything we do needs to ladder back to our mission of being in business to save our home planet and we need to do that in a way that is just, equitable and inclusive of all people. Ambitions don’t get much bigger than that.”
“And while there will be more tough days ahead as we challenge norms, I am excited to do the work alongside Patagonia’s talented and passionate professionals,” he said. “And, I am certain we will also have some fun along the way.”
