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Turtle Fur Welcomes VP of Marketing & eComm, CFO, and CEO to Executive Team

Vermont headwear brand welcomes three new hires: Erika Canfield, Matt Glomski, and Jim Osgood.

Morrisville, VT (March 21, 2023) – Turtle Fur has been a leader in outdoor headwear and accessories for 40 years. Over the past year, Turtle Fur has seen some major positive changes, including a partnership with private equity firm Camano Capital in June 2022, and achieving B Corp™ Certification in December 2022. Most recently, Turtle Fur made a string of strategic leadership hires, welcoming three new members to the team; VP of Marketing & eComm, Erika Canfield; CFO, Matt Glomski; and CEO, Jim Osgood.

 “Turtle Fur is a beloved brand with a warm, colorful history, a caring, dedicated team, and tremendous untapped potential. I was fortunate to be a steward of this wonderful company for over 20 years. Turtle Fur’s future is bright, and I am thrilled to be along for the journey,” says Richard Sontag, Board Member, and owner from 2001 to 2022

Erika joins the company with 20+ years of experience leading global Marketing and Creative departments in the outdoor and performance sports industries, including holding leadership roles at both Outdoor Research and Pacific Market International (Stanley Thermos). At Turtle Fur she will be responsible for driving brand strategy, expanding Turtle Fur’s customer base, and growing eCommerce sales.

Matt will be responsible for the company’s financial actions, analyzing strengths and weaknesses and recognizing new opportunities for the brand. With over 15 years of experience in the retail and consumer products space, Matt obtained his CPA license while working for Ernst & Young in the Los Angeles office.  He holds a Master of Accounting from the University of Southern California and most recently served as CFO at Trina Turk.

Jim comes to Turtle Fur with over 30 years of business leadership and product innovation experience, including nearly 15 years serving as CEO/President for several outdoor companies, including Klean Kanteen and Cascade Designs, Inc. In addition to his role at Turtle Fur, Jim serves as Board Chair for 1% for the Planet and has been an advocate and industry thought leader on environmental stewardship and the importance of responsible business strategies and practices. His passions for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and trail running – and inspiring others to enjoy and explore the outdoors – will translate well to his role at Turtle Fur. As the brand’s first CEO, Jim will be responsible for driving the strategies and plans for building the core business while expanding into new markets and product categories.

“Like so many of us, I’ve grown up with Turtle Fur. It’s been my go-to gear for staying comfortable and cozy on the ski slopes as well as every day when cruising around town. It’s a privilege for me to be able to combine my passion for the outdoors with driving the growth and stewarding such an iconic brand with which I have a deep, personal connection,” says Jim Osgood, CEO.

Erika, Matt, and Jim join the strong existing executive team of Colin Giblin (VP of Operations) and Meghan Ksiazek (VP of Product). Together over the past few years, Colin and Meghan have been working to run the business as a mission-driven company, promoting the welfare of Turtle Fur employees and pushing both environmental and social-driven initiatives. Erika, Matt, and Jim will bring their years of experience across other companies and industries to this solid team, driving the brand toward robust growth over the next 5 years and beyond.

Under Richard’s leadership, Turtle Fur has stayed true to its founding principles of comfort, quality, caring, and giving to those in need. Richard built a strong team that is poised to take Turtle Fur onward to its next phase of growth. Turtle Fur thanks Richard for his years of dedicated service to the brand, for his support of their goal to become a certified B Corp, and look forward to his continued leadership as a Board Member.

About Turtle Fur:

Since 1982 Turtle Fur® has been a leading headwear and accessories brand in the outdoor, snow sports, and lifestyle markets. Their mission is to inspire an outdoor lifestyle by promoting socially and environmentally conscious living and creating comfortable products for every adventure(r).

Turtle Fur prides itself on holding true to its pillars of adventure, community, comfort, and quality. For more information, visit www.turtlefur.com and follow them on social media @turtlefur.

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Outdoor Vitals, the Utah-based performance outdoor apparel and gear brand, continues to innovate in the outdoor space with the addition of the Nebo Windbreaker to their line. The Nebo is an ultralight 4 oz jacket that redefines the category, offering more breathability and versatility than other options on the market.

Named after a rugged peak on which it was tested, this novel windbreaker is incredibly versatile and can be used year-round as an essential part of various layering systems. The cutting-edge design ensures optimal ventilation, preventing moisture from building up inside the jacket to keep adventurers comfortable and dry.

“At Outdoor Vitals, we are looking to be a part of the evolution of lightweight gear and apparel,” said Tayson Whittaker, founder of Outdoor Vitals. “When designing the Nebo, we set out to make something that we couldn’t find on the market, a wind layer that strikes a balance between breathability and protection. We tested a variety of fabrics and designs to create this unique offering that allows for perspiration to escape while eliminating wind chill. The result is the most versatile jacket we have ever produced.”

This ultralight piece features a single-layer 20D fabric with a soft texture that eliminates the clammy sensation that many wind layers create, allowing users to take on any outdoor activity with ease. The Nebo’s ultralight design and exceptional breathability make it the perfect layer for runners or hikers. It’s also a great piece to wear over a baselayer to take the edge off on a brisk morning. A DWR treatment helps to shed moisture, while the fitted hood allows for added protection when a storm rolls in.

The $124.97 Nebo Windbreaker is a great companion for any adventure. From blustery summer days to frigid winter conditions, this wind layer always has a place in your pack.

To learn more about the Nebo Windbreaker visit www.outdoorvitals.com.

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About Outdoor Vitals

Unencumbered by price points or corporate strategies, Outdoor Vitals is passionate about helping others to live ultralight, and its sole mission is to provide gear that makes backcountry travel easier. Outdoor Vitals is committed to designing innovative products that make the outdoors more comfortable, cutting out everything that is unnecessary without impeding function or durability. The result is a line of carefully constructed products that are ideal for backcountry travel. Today, Outdoor Vitals offers a wide array of unique products, including backpacks, jackets, tents, pants, baselayers, sleep systems, and more.

Deepens industry-leading freshwater rod lineup

Charleston, SC – Shimano North America Fishing, a legendary innovator in the fishing tackle industry, is proud to announce new rod options for the dedicated freshwater angler. Shimano left no stone unturned when revamping its eye-catching Sojourn lineup while adding an ever-widening array of Muskie-specific options. Built to handle big fish and tailored for the specific techniques used to catch them, the redesigned Sojourn Muskie lineup and 9’9” fast action addition to the legendary Compre Muskie series are as serious as the species they chase. 

Sojourn Muskie: The redesigned lineups of Sojourn spinning, casting, and trolling rods combine eye-catching aesthetics and performance-built quality for enhanced durability and sensitivity when targeting trophy freshwater bites.

The Sojourn Muskie series meets the needs of today’s muskie anglers, offering a variety of powers from medium-heavy to extra-extra-heavy. The revised guidetrain now features double-footed guides and a wireframe tip-top for increased durability and an eye-catching aesthetic. The new to lineup eight-foot heavy trolling model features an EVA handle and durable wire guide to hold up to the rigors of this proven technique. All models over eight feet are telescopic for increased packability and transport. For muskie anglers throwing large lures, trolling, or using live bait, the redesigned Sojourn Muskie series will stand the test of time. MSRP: $54.99-$74.99

Compre Muskie: Shimano designed the Compre Muskie series to cast longer, fight harder, and catch more fish. The all-new 9’9” fast action rod provides extra-heavy power and features premium SeaGuide XGB Zirconia guides and an extra-long handle to help anglers lob heavier baits while minimizing tangles. These durable and lightweight rod employs a Fuji reel seat and AAA cork handle for increased casting comfort, while the compressed cork butt cap supports hard-fighting fish under heavy loads. Models over eight feet are telescopic for travel and storage ease. Built to last, the Compre Muskie series will stand up to a lifetime of battles. MSRP: $149.99-$169.99

When success comes once out of every 10,000 casts, it is essential to have the tackle engineered to perform when anglers need it most. For more information on the Sojourn, Sojourn Muskie, and Compre lineups, and to find the perfect system pairings, like the battle-tested Tranx or classically built Cardiff to spool with PowerPro line, visit fish.shimano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator, and for more information on Shimano North America Fishing and the latest product releases, please contact Kade Gewanter at Kadegewanter@darbycommunications.com.

About Shimano North America Fishing

Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fish.shimano.com/en-US or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america/, @fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.

 

New models and color options expand industry-leading hard bait catalog

Charleston, SC – Shimano, a longtime manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle, is proud to announce expansions to its extensive lineup of freshwater hard baits. These product offerings are geared towards freshwater anglers looking to entice trophy bites when it matters most.

Shimano’s revolutionary patented BOOST CONCEPT lure technology features throughout the full catalog of hard bait additions. FLASH BOOST and SCALE BOOST technologies work to mimic the movements, behavior, and realistic patterns of baitfish, enticing bites from even the most finicky of fish. JET BOOST increases casting distance and accuracy compared to a lure of similar size, delivering the upper hand to Shimano hard bait lure anglers.

Enber 60SP FP: Available in nine fish-catching colors, the Enber 60SP FP is as versatile a jerkbait as can be found on the market today. Weighing in at ⅕ ounces, the extended tail profile of the bait perfectly mimics the profile of multiple common baitfish species while descending to a depth of six feet. The Enber 60SP FP allows anglers to target a gamut of freshwater species with various techniques. FLASH BOOST technology creates an enticing flash during the retrieve, while SCALE BOOST technology provides lifelike baitfish patterns. Anglers can choose to fish the bait with a classic twitch and pause retrieve or a straight reel back to the boat technique, while big water walleye anglers will be impressed with the trolling capabilities of the Enber 60SP FPt. MSRP: $18.99

World Rush 56F FB: Attracting bites from trophy fish is the name of the game with the World Rush 56F FB. This ½ ounce square bill is ideal for covering water and targeting active fish in heavy cover down to five feet. The hybrid edge square bill provides durable performance, allowing the lure to deflect off structures and quickly recover its tight wobble to trigger reactive strikes. The WorldRush 56F FB utilizes Shimano’s proprietary FLASH BOOST technology, which casts a fish-attracting flash during the retrieve. Available in ten colors. MSRP: $17.99

Zumverno 95SP: Expanding Shimano’s lineup of freshwater lures, the Zumverno 95SP FB is the ideal jerkbait for anglers needing to downsize to match the conditions. This ⅓ ounce bait measures a compact 3.7 inches and descends to five feet. The wide bill design provides an enticing side-to-side darting action and subtle rolling motion to trigger trophy strikes. The hallmark of the Zumverno lineup is the realistic appearance thanks to its ten color variations and use of proprietary BOOST CONCEPT lure technology. FLASH BOOST technology releases a flash during the retrieve, while SCALE BOOST technology perfectly mimics a wounded baitfish. JET BOOST enhances the lure’s casting range, allowing anglers to efficiently cover water. MSRP: $18.99

World Diver 99SP:  A favorite of serious anglers everywhere, the World Diver 99SP series is adding two new colors. With the addition of S HASU and ST CHIAYU, the suspending jerk bait is now available in 12 premium color options. Weighing ⅝ ounces and diving to depths of eight feet, this bait utilizes FLASH BOOST technology to trigger strikes with a lifelike flash. The small profile and depth range make the World Diver 99SP a great option for suspending fish. MSRP: $19.99

World Minnow 115 SP:  The legendary World Minnow 115 SP suspended jerkbait comes feature-packed with Shimano lure technologies. With the introduction of S HASU and ST CHIAYU, Shimano adds to a robust selection of colors. The side-to-side erratic diving action–down to 4-6 feet–paired with FLASH BOOST technology elicits aggressive bites from trophy bass. Additionally, the World Minnow 115 SP can cast 22% farther than similar baits its size. MSRP: $19.99

Sephia Clinch Flash Boost: For saltwater anglers, Shimano is proud to integrate their patented FLASH BOOST technology into a squid jig. Available in six proven colors. MSRP: $10.50

 To learn more about Shimano’s freshwater hard lures and patented lure technologies visit fish.shamano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator. For more information on Shimano and the latest product releases, please contact Kade Gewanter at Kadegewanter@darbycommunications.com.

About Shimano North America Fishing

Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fish.shimano.com/en-US or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america, @fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.