Begins to unveil future direction for brand
Aliso Viejo, Calif. – January 17, 2023 – Today, GT Bicycles announced its dedicated global leadership team to bring the brand’s new direction to life and execute the 2023 strategy. Led by GT Managing Director Jason Schiers (formerly of Reynolds Cycling, Enve Composites and Crank Brothers), the newly established leadership team will implement the strategy across all core brand functions with a focus on brand presence at independent bike dealers.
GT has named Ed Fardos as Head of Operations. Fardos joined GT in July of 2022 and comes from a successful career in tech with long tenures at HP and Apple. A mountain biker and endurance race car driver, Ed is a versatile business executive and entrepreneur known for devising sales and business development strategies that deliver growth for global companies.
Jean Brown has been tapped as GT’s Head of Finance and joins the brand after leading the finance department of ski and outdoor sports brand, Surefoot, LC. Jean is an avid mountain biker and hiker with a career in public accounting, government contracting, outdoor industry retail, and is a very exciting addition to the team.
Rounding out the GT leadership team is Mike Marro as Head of Marketing. Mike has been with GT since 2010 and will bring the brand’s mission, vision, and values to life across all consumer and retail facing touchpoints.
“It truly is the beginning of the next chapter for this iconic brand,” said Mike Marro GT Head of Marketing. “On behalf of the growing brand team, we are all honored to contribute to the decisions which will shape the future of GT. We have always had the passion behind the brand, but now we are putting the tools in place to authentically reconnect with the industry to create those ‘I remember when GT did/made/won…’ moments in new and exciting ways.”
One of the first changes taking place under this new structure will be the introduction of a completely new North American sales force. Comprised of 37 independent sales reps across the United States and Canada, and lead by a soon to be announced Head of North American Sales, this new team will grow GT’s footprint at the dealer level prioritizing the brand’s proven BMX, Mountain, Gravel and Electric product range.
ABOUT GT BICYCLES
GT Bicycles inspires a passion for riding by celebrating the brand’s roots in dirt and street culture. Since building GTs first BMX bike in 1972, GT has remained true to sharing the stoke on two wheels which the brand was founded on because, after all, you can’t have Good Times without ‘GT’! For more information visit www.gtbicycles.com.
