MANUFACTURING
Prana Chief Executive Leaving in Mid-August
After being with the company for nearly nine years, Scott Kerslake is leaving Prana as its chief executive to take another job.
Kerslake will be leaving on Aug. 18, said a press release issued by Columbia Sportswear, which acquired Prana three years ago for $190 million.
Kerslake will become CEO of Nixon, the California–based watch and accessories brand, effective Aug. 21.
“Scott has led Prana through a tremendous period of growth and created a solid brand platform and a strong team with tremendous potential,” said Tim Boyle, Columbia Sportswear’s chief executive. “All of us at Columbia have benefited from the opportunity to work alongside Scott for the past three years and have great confidence that he will also be successful in his next endeavor.”
Kerslake joined Prana in Carlsbad, Calif., as its CEO in 2009 and helped the brand grow to a company with revenues of $100 million in 2014, prompting the sale to Columbia Sportswear. Since then, Prana’s sales have grown nearly 50 percent.
Prana was founded in 1992 as a yoga wear and mountain climbing–gear company by Beaver Theodosakis, who preceded Kerslake as CEO. The eco-friendly brand was ahead of the curve when it came to trying to develop sustainable clothing that used organic cotton and dyeing techniques that didn’t pollute.
Before long, Prana was being carried in hundreds of REI doors as well as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Adventure 16 and countless yoga shops in addition to the company’s own Prana stores.
Kerslake has a long history with activewear and yoga wear. In 1997, he founded Athleta, based in Petaluma, Calif. In 2008, the yoga and athletic-wear brand was acquired by Gap Inc. for $150 million.
“Leading the Prana brand for the past eight years, becoming a part of Columbia Sportswear’s family of brands and serving as a member of Columbia’s leadership team have all been true highlights of my career,” Kerslake said. “I have great confidence that Prana’s brand promise will continue to resonate with the growing number of eco-conscious consumers around the world.”
While Columbia Sportswear searches for a new chief executive, Prana will be led by Chief Financial Officer Mike Pogue and Vice President of Marketing Nancy Dynan.
