KENT, WA (BRAIN)—In a reorganization at Raleigh America, Chris Speyer has been named vice president of marketing and product. As part of the company’s realignment, Reed Pike’s position as marketing director has been eliminated.
Pike, who leaves the company after a four-year stint, said the decision wasn’t unexpected. “I’m going to take a breather and see what’s going on. It was just something they needed to do,” he said.
Pike, who moonlighted on weekends for a San Diego retailer while serving in the Navy, said Navy pay wasn’t enough to support his racing habit. He later joined Bicycle Parts Pacific in 1980 and has since worked at Dynacraft, Rock Shox, Specialized and Schwinn.
Steve Meineke, Raleigh’s president, praised Pike’s contribution to the company adding that Pike will help with the transition. “I want to thank Reed for his many contributions and the resulting growth we have experienced,” he said.
Speyer, in his new role, is responsible for the Raleigh, Diamondback and Avenir business units, Meineke said. He will focus on product design and development, graphics and marketing communication for each brand. “Chris is the right person to take on this challenge,” Meineke added.
Speyer grew up selling skis and bikes at a store in Ottawa, Canada. He managed purchasing for the Forzani Group for 12 years and then worked at Worldwide Cycle, distributor of Iron Horse and other brands, for two years before joining Raleigh. Speyer is a member of the Bicycle Product Supplier Association’s board of directors where he chairs the statistical committee.
—Marc Sani
