“We are pleased to announce that we have completed an extensive executive search: Andrew Barnett will join us as General Manager at Surf Technicians,” according to CEO, Trent Pedersen. Obviously the post pandemic surf market has been very challenging for the specialty surf business. At the onset of our search, we determined that our GM position required all the leadership elements for Surftech, but also had the additional responsibility to find the right person to provide trusted leadership in the Surf and SUP category for the retail network. Andrew fit the bill precisely: he has an intimate knowledge of surfboards, a deep understanding of our industry, and is well-respected by many of our key partners.
Andrew brings a wealth of experience from 10 years at Lost Surfboards, where he initially served as CFO before transitioning into the role of General Manager. During his time there he also managed the sales and marketing team, owned a glassing shop and guided the company through the Great Recession of 2008.
Andy’s hiring is a signal to our retail partners that we understand that the challenges facing our retail surf industry are unique: surfing as a sport, has never seen greater participation. Yet surf retail has never been as challenged as it is now. Surftech is one of the oldest brands in surfing and we have a substantial global retail network. We embrace the obligation to help lead the surf industry back to profitability and better times. We are pleased that Andy has accepted the role of General Manager and we look forward to better times for the industry and Surftech.
Andrew will be based at our Carlsbad office starting Monday, 24 March.
About Surf Technicians:
Surf Technicians was founded in 1989, born out of a desire to unite artisanal shapers and surfers by utilizing new technologies and distribution methods. This unique relationship with the world’s best shapers has always allowed Surftech to make performance-enhancing boards available to surfers of all abilities, worldwide. We were the first to use advancements in technology to explore, establish, and embrace the connection between shaper and surfer. 30 years after we released Tuflite, forever changing the surf industry for the better, we’re still leading the charge for watermen everywhere.
