During EPISODE 14 I talk with Traci Cosmer, who was recently hired on the Outerwear team with Mountain Hardwear! Traci is also a graduate of the Outdoor PM School Certificate program. We have kept in touch, and it's been awesome to watch her journey. This episode focuses on that journey, and what she learned while moving from a sales position to a product role with a top brand. If you are trying to make a similar transition in your career, this is the perfect episode!

I am also excited to announce some changes to the Outdoor PM School Program! If you are interested in learning more stick around after the interview for the first After Show where I share some details about the program!

During this Episode I talk with Brittany Beratlis, the Senior Product Line Manager at Mountain Hardwear! Brittany found her first outdoor industry role via a placement agency and quickly saw Product Management as the career path she wanted to pursue. She moved into a PLC role at TNF, and later the Global Product Manager over Women's Sportswear. After a short stint with Levi Strauss, she found her current home at Mountain Hardwear as a Senior Product Manager over Sportswear and Logowear.

During Episode 12 I talk with Tucker Barney, the Global Product Line Manager of Goggles at Smith Optics. Tucker grew up in small-town ID and played college baseball at the University of Puget Sound. After graduation, he worked in international finance before following a career more aligned with his passions. He found his way to the Masters in Sports Product Management program at the University of Oregon and later joined the Smith Optics team as the Global Product Line Manager for helmets.

During Episode 11 I talk with Tim Beck, the Global Category Manager of Technical Equipment at The North Face. After college Tim set a goal to work outdoors for 12 months. He spent over a year leading multi-week backpacking and kayaking trips in Minnesota, before focusing on his next goal, to get involved in the world of Outdoor Product. He got his break as a Product Line Coordinator at the North Face and has spent the last 5 years helping create the North Face’s most technical equipment.

During Episode 10 I talk with Chris Bellamy, the Product Category Manager of Goggles and Eyewear at Salomon. Chris started his career studying engineering at Cambridge. After 4 years working on the product team at Jaguar Land Rover he made the move to North America while working at Wiivv, a startup focused on custom 3D printed insoles. Chris recently joined Salomon and made the move to France.

During EPISODE 9 I talk with Phil Westenberger, the head of product at Edelrid, a top German climbing brand. Phil successfully completed undergraduate and graduate degrees while traveling and living out of his van, fully maximizing his climbing and ski time. Phil started as the first PM at Edelrid, and now oversees all aspects of product creation, including product management, development, and design.

During EPISODE 8 I talk with Rachel Treinen. Rachel graduated with a degree in Exercise Physiology but decided to move her career in a different direction. After taking a chance on a Product Development internship at KEEN she was quickly hired full-time as an International Product Coordinator. Rachel was soon promoted as an Associate PLM, and later as a Global Product Line Manager.

During EPISODE 7 I talk with Alex Baires, the Senior Manager of Category Management at YETI. Alex was born in El Salvador and emigrated to the US at a young age. He was introduced to the outdoors by a close friend and quickly fell in love with hiking, backpacking, and rafting. After starting out in the Credit Card Industry Alex got his break joining the Production Team at Mountain Hardware. Alex worked his way into product development, and eventually, Product Management, becoming an early employee at YETI.

During EPISODE 6, I talk with Ian McLeran. Ian describes himself as an “accidental Product Manager.” He started out working in a bike shop and graduated with degrees in Geology and Education. Ian found his way to Cannondale, first as an intern, and later as a Product Manager. After 4 years of working on Road Bikes, Ian moved to THULE, where he spent over 10 years managing the Cargo and Roof Rack categories!

During EPISODE 5 I talk with Jeff Lancial, the Product Manager at RUMPL. Jeff started in a family lighting business, learning development, and production. He later completed a degree in graphic design at the Art Institute of Portland. Jeff was an early employee at the viral sunglass brand Shwood, before joining RUMPL.