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  Jeff Fitzhugh. Photo courtesy of Sanuk.

 

DC executive Jeff Fitzhugh is moving to Sanuk as the Vice President of Sales for North America.

 

Jeff was a key member of the Quiksilver Inc. sales team, serving as SVP of Sales at DC.

 

Sanuk President Jake Brandman has been searching for several months for the right person for the role, and told me in an interview that Jeff fits all the criteria Sanuk was looking for.

 

Jeff comes from the industry, understands Sanuk’s unique culture, and is a footwear veteran who understands both the core market and the larger footwear landscape, Jake said.

 

“Sanuk is a unique and special brand that requires someone who can appreciate the special culture and who has the skills to move the business forward,” he said. “We met a lot of great candidates, but the minute we met Jeff, we knew he was the right one.”

 

Sanuk also recently promoted Andy Trammell to Director of Sales, and the company is still searching for a strong core sales manager.

 

Sanuk is a major growth story for parent company Deckers Outdoor Corporation, which bought Sanuk in 2011. Deckers also owns Ugg and Teva.

 

For the official Jeff Fitzhugh press release, see Page 2

 

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Press Release:

 

JEFF FITZHUGH JOINS SANUK AS VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES FOR NORTH AMERICA

 

Notable Industry Influencer Joins the Sanuk Team as Company ?Grows in Overall Market Share

 

IRVINE, Calif. – May 3, 2013 – Sanuk, a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQGS: DECK), today announced that Jeff Fitzhugh has joined Sanuk as Vice President of Sales for North America. Fitzhugh, a seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience within the footwear and surf industries, was most recently a Senior Vice President at DC Shoes, a division of Quiksilver, Inc. He will be an important brand leader as Sanuk builds and expands beyond its core business in the United States.

 

“Jeff is a great fit for the team. He appreciates the brand culture, relates to the surf industry, and has the DNA of the Sanuk brand in him,” said Jake Brandman, Sanuk president. “Sanuk is truly making its mark right now as a formidable footwear industry leader. Having Jeff on board is another sign of how the very best in the business are recognizing that and wanting to be a part of this exciting growth period for Sanuk.”

 

While at Quiksilver, Fitzhugh was responsible for all aspects of sales for DC Shoes. Prior to that, he worked for major industry players such as Oakley, Inc., and Converse, Inc. Throughout his career, Fitzhugh successfully delivered sales growth and profit while building great brands. His decades of experience in the retail and footwear sectors make him an established leader in the space.

 

This announcement comes on the heels of Sanuk’s recent grand opening of the brand’s first flagship store in Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. Known for its creatively inspired and distinctly designed footwear, Sanuk’s signature styles include the comfortable Sidewalk Surfers with patented sandal construction, and Yoga Mat and Beer Cozy sandals for active men and women. The flagship store marks a significant growth milestone since the company was purchased by Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 2011.

 

For more information on Sanuk, please visit www.sanuk.com.

 

About Sanuk

Twice recognized at the SIMA Image Awards as the 2007 and 2010 Footwear Product of the Year, Sanuk makes creatively inspired and distinctively designed footwear for the global outdoor community. Taking its name from the Thai word for fun, the brand is best known for its Sidewalk Surfers, often referred to as “Not-A-Shoe,” for their patented sandal construction, which allows your feet to bend and flex in natural comfort. Founded by Southern California native and surfer Jeff Kelley, Sanuk sponsors a spectrum of premier athletes, including surfers Donavon Frankenreiter and Dave Rastovich and rock climbers Chris Sharma and Daniel Woods. Sanuk products are now distributed in nearly 70 countries worldwide. Smile…Pass It On!