My name is Derek Slocum, I am a Product Developer for ALPS OutdoorZ.

https://www.alpsbrands.com/ (https://www.alpsbrands.com/)

Our Promise to Exceed Your Expectations. We have always stood by our promise of providing affordable, performance-driven gear. With our industry-leading warranty and our friendly customer service, we promise to Exceed Your Expectations.

I am blessed to have a beautiful wife and a 6 month old daughter. My dad started me on hunting at a young age and I have been a hunting enthusiast ever since. I enjoy hunting everything from deer to big game out west.

Being in the outdoor industry is something I have dreamt about growing up, but working construction my whole life, I never thought it was something I could find – until I found ALPS in my backyard! I’ve been working at ALPS for 4 years and I am proud to be able to put my passion to the test with the products I design with help from my team.

I love when I go hunting now and come up with things I wish I had on a backpack or wish I had on a vest, and then Monday morning I’m able to draw it up and get the ball rolling. Truly a dream come true for me professionally.

Our Storyhttps://www.alpsbrands.com/images/alps-employee-photo-2019.jpg (Our growing team. (click to view))

Since our inception in 1993 by outdoor gear designer and company founder Dennis Brune, ALPS has become an innovation and customer satisfaction leader. Founder Brune enjoyed a successful career beginning in 1979 with the technical mountaineering manufacturer Kelty.

He moved from product development to sales and marketing, then to management.Brune had a vision of an outdoor company that would deliver high-quality performance gear priced within a comfortable reach for the everyday outdoorsman and woman. In essence, premium outdoor products whose performance exceeded the expectations of their price points. This combined with a focused attention on customer service has been a winning combination.

Dennis and his wife, LaRayne, wanted to share the passion for the outdoors with their three children. The time spent outdoors are their most cherished memories, and continue to be the stories told when they're together. Brian, Adam and Sarah Kristin have their roles in the company today. The family business was redefined as each child's spouses joined the ALPS team throughout the years. The pride of passing on a passion to your children is an amazing feeling, but to pass along a passion through your children to your grandchildren is something to treasure.

ALPS headquarters was built out of and around the Brune home. In 2015, they officially out-grew their Lyon campus and purchased a 100,000 sq. ft. building in the city limits of New Haven, where the bulk of their warehousing staff and products are now located.

"While I never doubted that we would 'make it,'" said Brune of the company's 25-year milestone, "I have to admit I would have never guessed we would have grown into the company we are today.

Our customers have gotten us to this point and it is our goal to provide complete customer satisfaction in every product we offer. Being a family-owned company that is outdoor-driven, we understand the lifestyle and rugged products that need to perform when we have reached the limit. We want to exceed beyond expectations with our gear so our customers can experience once-in-a-lifetime moments in the great outdoors.

You may not always end up where you thought you were going. But you will always end up where you are meant to be.