by Larry EderKirk Richardson is one of the classiest guys in our business. I had heard that he was at Specialized from his former workmates at Columbia. Before Columbia, Kirk was at Keen as President. Kirk was at Nike from 1979 to 2006, and was extremely involved in their running footwear business. While at Nike, Kirk had stints in Nike Europe and Nike Japan. He is also an avid climber, father, husband.
This article was sent to me by several of Kirk’s former work mates, most whose lives were changed by working in collaboration with Kirk. Kirk Richardson’s name would come up with so many footwear people across the industry. He was, and is, a very positive guy with an ironic sense of humor. Kirk is very collaborative, it may one of his strongest management traits.
Kirk was one of the main reasons I was able to have some success in working with Nike in the early nineties. He had me pitch his team, and while it was nerve wracking, they were quite fair. After that, I was fortunate to see Kirk a few times each year, for nearly two decades. Our visits were and are, always about checking up on family, friends and stories, we never miss a good story about the industry.
We wish him the very best as he begins his new job as GM for U.S. at Specialized Bicycle.
Specialized Bicycle Hires Kirk Richardson to Head U.S.
SportsOneSource Media Posted:
1/20/2012
Specialized Bicycle has hired Kirk Richardson, former president of Keen,
as its new general manager for the U.S. market. Richardson will move
into the position in January. He replaces Mike Abbot, who has been
promoted to global chief operating officer, according
to a report from Bicycle Retailer.
Richardson spent 27 years at Nike, including two years in Tokyo at Nike
Japan, three years in Frankfurt at Nike Europe and Germany, plus two
years as merchandising director of international footwear.
He also was president of Keen, general manager of footwear at Columbia
Sportswear, interim president at Mountain Hardwear and a director of the
Montrail Brand business development.
“I am psyched to be joining Specialized, having been a fan for many
years,” said Richardson. “Specialized is committed to our independent
bike dealers, who I look forward to learning from. We are at a tipping
point in the industry, and it is more critical
now than ever that we work together to create a sustainable business
model of profitability for dealers with differentiated services that
address the rider’s need.”
Joe Brunetti moved into the USA chief operating officer role from USA
chief financial officer. Brunetti and the regional sales managers now
report to Richardson, who reports to Specialized president and founder
Mike Sinyard.
“Kirk is a strategic leader who listens and is very collaborative,” said Sinyard.
