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Comprised of a staff with diverse backgrounds, Shwalla has closely aligned itself with seasoned veterans in the sporting apparel industry.
Brad Weisman
Weisman is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and holds a Masters in Business from Lake Forest Business School of Management. Weisman spent the first several years of his career after graduating from OSU working for Walgreen Company as an Electronic Data Interchange professional. Weisman did the testing and implementation of an EDI system that was used to send purchase orders and invoices electronically prior to the popularity of the Internet. Weisman transitioned off into a consulting role working for AT&T as an EDI specialist. As the Internet grew, Weisman took a leap to work for a large hosting company, Exodus Communications. His true passion has always been staying in shape year round. Weisman took the time to learn more about the industry by working at the store level for Chicago based Active Endeavors in 2003. This experience helped Weisman learn about consumers in addition to the various suppliers in this market. Weisman has focused on cross training making use of inline skates in addition to running and swimming. It is a lifetime passion and commitment that he embraces. This passion has driven his interest in serving customers within this industry. Weisman is a proud finisher of the 2003 Chicago marathon.
Lee Loebman
Lee Loebman graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a Major in Industrial Design. After graduation, Loebman set up his own studio producing and selling limited edition lithographs, custom artwork and installations. His work has been featured in galleries around the country as well as a number of catalogs, Web sites and hundreds of homes and institutions around the world. He has also spent the last several years working in the technology sector for companies such as Art.com where he helped build and maintain the Web site as the company grew from start-up through its sale to Getty Images. Throughout his life, Loebman has had an unwavering interest in cycling and running. His interest in cardio conditioning along with his love of industrial design is the foundation for his view of the future of the Shwalla brand.
David Cruikshank
- Four-time Olympian (1988, 1992, 1994, and 1998)
- Five-time World Sprint Team member
- 1997 Junior World 500m Champion
- Multiple time National Champion indoor/outdoor pack style
- Competed Internationally for 16 years
In his first major International competition, Cruikshank won the junior world 500m at the age of only seventeen. Then, the very next year he made the 1988 Olympic Team and won the 1000m at the Olympic trials beating the likes of Dan Jansen (1000m Olympic favorite and gold medalist in 1994) and Eric Flaim (1988 Olympic Silver Medalist). The following year, Cruikshank medaled in a World Cup competition and placed 13th overall in his first World Sprint Championships. Cruikshank continued on to a very long and successful career making multiple World Championship Teams and three more Olympic Teams.
Advisory Committee
Kenneth (Hap) Klopp
Founder, The North Face
For 20 years, Klopp, who holds an MBA from Stanford University, was the president of the North Face, a firm that created the standard for innovation and quality in the outdoors, mountaineering, backpacking and skiing industries. The Company, during his tenure, grew from a back room, 14 person operation into an enterprise employing more than 1,000 people. It was involved in manufacturing, licensing, retailing and distribution in 45 countries
In 1988 Klopp sold The North Face and founded HK Consulting in the San Francisco area. He has an affiliated consulting office in Japan and their clients range from start-ups to multi-billion dollar corporations. In addition to consulting, Klopp serves on a number of Boards of Directors and is Chairman of an investment company-Canterbury Holdings which is the owner of the New Zealand based apparel company, Canterbury of New Zealand. Recently Klopp expanded his U.S. based global sourcing company (Unimatrix) to include offices in Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, New Delhi, Columbia, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador.
Brian Cousins
Co-founder/President, Cloudveil Mountain Works, LLC.
Cousins, 31, is Co-founder and President of Cloudveil Mountain Works, LLC and oversees national and international sales, finance (currently), and overall brand management. Cousins has considerable experience in business and sales management, operations, and brand development gained throughout his eleven years in the outdoor specialty industry.
Before co-founding Cloudveil, Cousins was a department manager with Boulder, CO. based Pearl Izumi, a manufacturer of technical apparel for the cycling and fitness market, where Cousins was in charge of operations for the company's warranty and returns department. Prior to that, Cousins was a store manager for Jackson, WY. based Skinny Skis, one of the premier specialty outdoor retailers in the nation. Cousins was responsible for staff management, staff product education, and select product category purchasing. Prior to employment with Skinny Skis, Cousins worked in a similar capacity with another premier outdoor specialty retailer, Chicago, IL. based Active Endeavors.
In addition, to this professional industry experience, Cousins brings an extensive understanding of apparel and textile application and performance gained through years of practical experience in the outdoors. Cousins is a 1994 graduate of Northwestern University.
Louis J. Foreman
President, Enventys
Foreman graduated from The University of Illinois with a degree in Economics. His interest in starting businesses began while a sophomore with his first company founded in his fraternity room. Since the college days, Foreman has created 5 start-ups and has been directly responsible for the creation of over 10 others. His passion for small business extends beyond his own companies. Foreman volunteers his time teaching small business classes at the local college and mentoring.
Ed Tyler
CEO, Ideapoint
Tyler was appointed CEO of Ideapoint Ventures in 2002. Ideapoint Ventures is an early stage venture fund that focuses on nanotechnologies. Prior to joining Ideapoint Ventures, Tyler served as President and CEO of Moore Corporation Limited for three years, beginning in April 1998. During his tenure at Moore, he led a worldwide repositioning and restructuring of the company. From 1974 to 1998 he was with R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company in Chicago, becoming Executive Vice President, Sector President, and Chief Technology Officer in 1995. From 1995 through 1998, he also was responsible for 77 Capital, an early stage venture capital subsidiary of Donnelley. He was directly responsible for investment decisions and worked closely with the portfolio companies while participating on many of their boards.
Tyler is immediate past Chairman of the American Red Cross (Mid-America Chapter); Campaign Chairman of the United Way of Lake County; and a director of First Industrial Corporation as well as several small, private companies. In 2002 he was elected to the Board of Directors of Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where he is also an adjunct faculty member.
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