19-Year Croakies Veteran Retires, George Schott Appointed New Head Of Sales For Hilco Vision Outdoor
Hilco Vision Outdoor, a division of Hilco Vision and home to industry-leading brands, Croakies, Leader Swim, and Jonathan Paul Fitovers Eyewear, announces that longtime industry veteran Bob Kelley has retired as Head of Sales.
Kelley lead the Croakies brand for over 19 years following a successful career driving Ray-Ban sales. During his tenure leading the Croakies sales organization, Kelley was an instrumental part of the company’s global growth as well as Croakies’ January 2017 acquisition by Hilco Vision.
“Bob has earned a phenomenal industry reputation, well respected by peers and customers alike,” states Ross Brownlee, CEO, Hilco Vision. “His experience with consumer brands has brought sustained value to Croakies, and his tireless energy and passion have helped ensure this powerful brand is set up for success in the years ahead,” explains Brownlee.
With the departure of Bob Kelley, Hilco Vision announces that former Native Eyewear co-founder, George Schott has been appointed Sales Director for Hilco Vision Outdoor, leading the Croakies® Leader® Swim, and Jonathan Paul® Fitovers Eyewear brands. In this role, Schott will be responsible for driving the future growth of these industry-leading brands in the outdoor and sporting goods channels and other consumer-oriented retail environments.
“George brings a winning combination of entrepreneurialism, strategic thinking and experience across the Outdoor/Sport channels of trade, and we are excited as to what lies ahead for our consumer brands as the next chapter of their story unfolds under George’s leadership,” states Brownlee.
Schott is joined in the Hilco Vision Outdoor sales department by Keith Swenson, formerly of FGX International, who was hired as Sales Manager for Hilco Vision Outdoor back in January.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to be joining an organization with such a strong mix of industry-leading brands,” explains Schott. “I’ve been involved in eyewear and accessories for quite some time and can honestly say, it’s exciting to be surrounded by talented people with a shared vision of driving future growth for our brands. I’m eager to get in the trenches and work alongside our dedicated sales force and family of authorized dealers,” Schott continues.
Often imitated but never duplicated, the original Croakies were invented in 1977 by a local ski patrolman from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming. Today, Croakies is still proudly based in the mountains of the American West, with most of its production in Bozeman, Montana. With Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as a backyard, the brand’s inspiration remains unchanged: to create best-in-class retention products that inspire everyday adventure and provide comfort, style, durability, and functionality to active people of all ages.
