GSI Outdoors, a camp kitchen, cookware, dining, and hydration gear company, hired Justin Walford as executive vice-president for GSI Outdoors and Pelican International, and Tyler Botts as brand marketing manager for GSI.
Walford brings almost 20 years of outdoor industry experience to GSI Outdoors. He built and led wholesale and direct-to-consumer teams and business units with brands like G3 Genuine Guide Gear, MEC, and Icebreaker Merino Clothing, where he served as VP and GM, North America, GSI Outdoors said.
“I am honored to be joining two teams that lead with their values and invest intentionally in building strong relationships,” Walford said. “GSI builds some of the best outdoor kitchen products in the industry today, and I look forward to supporting our rapid growth by leveraging the strengths of the Pelican International family.”
GSI Outdoors hired (L to R) Justin Walford and Tyler Botts
GSI Outdoors VP Dan Scott said the company is excited to expand the management team at GSI with Walford.
“He has a strong background in managing and developing companies in the outdoor industry,” Scott said. “Which will help us in our next chapter of growth and success.”
With over 15 years working on a broad range of brands and consumer categories, Botts will focus on direct-to-consumer, ecommerce growth and introducing new customers to GSI’s expanding outdoor camping and cooking products catalog, the company said.
“GSI has been rapidly growing, and hiring Tyler will be a huge addition to our tight-knit team,” said Kurt Gauss, director of design and marketing at GSI Outdoors. “His professional experience and personal passion for our brand is a perfect match.”
Botts’ experience as an entrepreneur, client-facing agency strategist and in-house marketer within a wide range of consumer demographics will help GSI’s continuous growth as it expands its presence in the outdoor market, the company said.
“GSI is a company I greatly admire and am proud to be part of,” Botts said. “As a long-time adventurer and avid outdoorsman, the opportunity to merge my career and passion for the outdoors is a fantastic opportunity.”
