Bushnell: new top-management appointments
MidOcean Partners and Bushnell Outdoor Products, for over 60 years the world leader of optics for sports, quality eyewear and outdoor accessories, announced that Blake Lipham has been appointed president in addition to his current position as Financial Director. The Board also appointed director Robert L. Caulk chairman, who will act as Key Adviser to Lipham and Bushnell top management: Phil Gyori (Esecutive Vice President - Marketing), Mark Welch (Executive Vice President - Sales), Mark Porto (Executive Vice President - Operations), Olivier Ciaravino (Vice President - Managing Director, BOP Europe), John Sanchez (Vice President - Strategic Sourcing) and Teresa Schroeder (Corporate Controller).
Lipham has been with Bushnell since 2007 as Financial Director with administration responsibilities; he was also in charge of new strategic acquisitions, including the recent Simmons® Outdoor Corporation and Millett® Industries. Before joining Bushnell, Lipham was Operations Director and Financial Director at Union Corrugating Company for three years and Financial Director at Home Depot Installed Products for five years. Previously, he held a number of financial and operational directorships at Procter & Gamble Company and Home Depot.
As well being on the Board at Bushnell, Caulk's brilliant career as a director spans over 30 years. From 1999 to 2005 he was president and managing director of United Industries Corporation, a private equity-backed 1 billion dollar company operating in the consumer products market. He then held the position of Senior Executive at Clopay Building Products Company, Johnson Outdoors and S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Caulk was also a director in various companies and non-profit organizations, including Polaris Industries, Sligh Furniture Company and the St. Louis Academy of Science.
"I am very pleased to have this opportunity to increase my managerial responsibilities at Bushnell, an exceptional company with a strong tradition in performance and excellent potential for growth' Lipham stated. "In addition to our universally known brands and the vast portfolio of products for outdoor enthusiasts, we have an excellent international team which gives consumers the best service and the best products possible. I am proud to be part of this organization and I will work with our executive team and with MidOcean to lead the company toward new development goals."
"Bushnell's top management has shown strong leadership during this transition stage; we are, to say the least, enthusiastic about promoting and increasing Blake's internal managerial responsibilities' declared Rob Sharp, Managing Director of MidOcean Partners. "It is fantastic to have someone of the caliber of Bob as chairman and we look forward to the contribution he will make to the growth of the company".
