Kent, Washington based outdoor retailer REI has hired Chris Speyer, managing director of cycling and fitness company Accell North America, as vice president of private brands. He will take on his new role beginning October 30th. Speyer will oversee all private label development for REI.
Speyer managed ski and bike purchasing for the Forzani Group for 10 years and then worked at Worldwide Cycle.
Speyer began his career in 2006 with Raleigh America and played an active role in the May 2012 sales of Raleigh America to Accell Group as well as SBS’s sale to Hawley-Lambert North America in March 2016. He held various roles including VP of marketing and product for Raleigh, COO and CEO of Accell North America and most recently managing director. Accell North America is the parent company of Raleigh, Diamondback and Redline.