REI Co-op members elected two new board members, former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario and National Park Service Director Charles “Chuck” Sams, to the board, and re-elected Ted Philip for another three-year term.
Rose Marcario is currently a partner at ReGen Ventures. Charles “Chuck” Sams is the 19th director of the NPS and the first Native American to hold the position. Philip is the former COO of Partners in Health, a non-profit focused on serving the needs of marginalized communities in countries such as Haiti, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
“Voting is one of the most important ways members can participate in the governance of the co-op,” said Board Chair Chris Carr in a statement. “I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to vote. Your votes will help guide the co-op as we work to fulfill our purpose — inspiring and equipping everyone to get outside.”
The election followed a more turbulent meeting in 2025, where members rejected three unopposed board nominees.
In 2024, REI reported net sales of $3.53 billion, representing a 6% decrease from the previous year. The co-op narrowed its net loss significantly, reducing it by 49% to $156 million. REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton, who took over the role from former CEO Eric Artz in 2025, has described the external environment as “turbulent,” citing tariffs and shifting consumer sentiment as ongoing hurdles for the retail sector.
Update on Union Negotiations
In July 2025, the co-op agreed to a national bargaining structure with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Stores Union (RWDSU) to negotiate contracts for 11 unionized stores.
The target was to finalize these agreements by January 2026. Earlier this month, employees at the 11 certified stores voted 98.5% against ratifying the proposed contract. Despite the rejection, both the co-op and the unions have stated they will continue good-faith discussions. The bargaining framework is scheduled to resume in mid-February as both parties seek a resolution.
Sustainability and Storytelling Initiatives
Beyond governance and labor, REI continues to roll out projects aligned with its climate and community goals.
The co-op has accelerated its climate strategy through several new partnerships aimed at local clean energy. Notable projects include:
- A 2.5MW community solar project in Woodbury, MN, developed with US Solar.
- An aggregated Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) designed to add 18.5 MW of solar energy to the Texas grid.
- A partnership with Ambercycle to purchase 200 tons per year of regenerated polyester, aiming to reduce textile waste.
On the cultural front, REI Co-op Studios released a new short documentary titled “The Life We Have.” The film chronicles the story of Rob Shaver, an REI employee who has run at least one mile every day for three years while battling stage 4 cancer. The documentary is accompanied by a “Run for Rob” screening tour intended to raise funds for the Cancer Support Community.
