Columbia Sportswear announced that Peter J. Bragdon and Joseph P. Boyle will serve as co‑presidents, effective November 12 2025. Bragdon will oversee all international businesses, including the Mountain Hardwear, prAna, and SOREL brands, while Boyle will focus on the Columbia brand and North American operations. Both leaders report to Chairman and CEO Timothy P. Boyle, underscoring a dual‑leadership model designed to balance global expansion with domestic brand growth.
The appointment follows Columbia’s ACCELERATE growth strategy, a multi‑year plan aimed at attracting younger, more active consumers through product innovation and marketplace shifts. Boyle, who has led the ACCELERATE initiative for the Columbia brand, will drive the strategy’s execution in the U.S., while Bragdon’s experience in expanding distributor sales across 74 countries will support the company’s international footprint. The co‑president structure mirrors industry peers such as The North Face and VF Corporation, reflecting a broader trend toward specialized leadership in large outdoor‑wear firms.
In addition to the co‑presidents, Columbia promoted Richelle T. Luther to Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, and Jana C. Humble to Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. The appointments signal a comprehensive succession plan that extends beyond the top executive role, reinforcing governance continuity and operational stability across the organization.
Timothy P. Boyle emphasized the importance of protecting the brand while expanding globally. “I have spent most of my life growing the Company and its several brands,” he said. “Protecting the brands, with the help of many dedicated colleagues, while expanding our global footprint, has been a source of great pride.” He added that the new leadership will “take the company to the next level” as Columbia returns to growth, highlighting confidence in the co‑presidents’ ability to execute the ACCELERATE plan and drive international expansion.
The co‑president model also reflects the company’s family legacy. Joseph Boyle is a fourth‑generation member of the founding Boyle family, son of CEO Tim Boyle and grandson of the late Gert Boyle. Bragdon, a long‑time executive who began with Columbia in 1999, brings a track record of scaling distributor sales and elevating the brand worldwide. Together, they combine deep institutional knowledge with fresh strategic focus, positioning Columbia to navigate supply‑chain headwinds, inflationary pressures, and competitive challenges while capitalizing on growing demand for outdoor apparel.
The leadership change is expected to strengthen investor confidence by demonstrating a clear path forward for governance and strategic execution. By aligning global and domestic priorities under two experienced leaders, Columbia aims to sustain momentum on its multi‑year ACCELERATE plan and continue expanding its international presence while reinforcing its core U.S. brand.
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