NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Elysa Walk is leaving Giant Bicycle, where she has worked for 11 years and been general manager for seven years, to take a position at Burton Snowboards in Vermont next month.
Walk announced the decision to Giant retailers in a letter emailed Tuesday.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I am hereby announcing that I have resigned from Giant. I am leaving the industry to pursue a new opportunity that offers me career advancement and an exciting opportunity for the future," Walk wrote.
"As you can imagine, this was an extremely difficult decision for me. Gut wrenching, actually. I have put my heart and soul into this company and the Giant team for 11 years. You all have enriched my life and my career in extraordinary ways that will stay with me forever. I love Giant and our Giant retailers, and want the best for them all in the future."
Walk noted that during her time leading Giant's U.S. operations, revenue growth grew 60 percent, profits were "positive and consistent," and Giant's market share continued to grow. Giant also launched its Liv women's line and Momentum mobility line during her tenure. Giant also opened six full Giant stores, more than 40 Giant Partnership Stores, and over 150 Giant and Liv Experience Centers.
Walk has been active in the industry outside her position at Giant, being a board member at PeopleForBikes, BPSA, and the Outdoor Industry Women's Coalition.
Walk said that John "JT" Thompson will become Giant USA's next general manager.
"Having worked closely with him for these past four years, I have complete confidence in him and the team's ability to lead this organization forward. I'm super excited to watch the heights the organization reaches in the future. JT has such fantastic experience to bring to this role and has the full confidence of Tony Lo and the senior Giant Global management. I know the team will take the company to another next level."
Thompson joined Giant in 2011 after a 15-year career at Specialized; he was promoted to be Giant's executive director in April.
Walk said her last day at Giant will be Friday, Nov. 6.
