FARMVILLE, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–YakAttack LLC, a Virginia-based manufacturer of paddlesports and fishing accessories, announced today the hiring of Joe Butler as Vice President of Sales. Butler was previously the owner of Black Creek Outfitters of Jacksonville, FL, and brings 30-plus years of business development and watersports retail experience.
“Deep in YakAttack’s DNA is an attention to detail in the design and manufacturing process that is a true differentiator. Their authenticity and brand awareness in kayak fishing accessories is second to none. I am excited to be in a position to tell the story of YakAttack and collaborate with our retail network and OEM manufacturing partners to drive growth, innovation, and profitability across all channels,” said Butler.
While at Black Creek Outfitters, Butler created a retail organization centered around the customer experience and data-driven decision-making. In 2015, Black Creek was named Most Innovative Retailer by the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.
YakAttack has made significant investments in its organization and operations over the last year, preparing the company to grow substantially in the years to come.
“We’re really excited to have Joe on board,” said YakAttack’s CEO Luther Cifers, “In a rapidly changing retail environment, Joe’s experience will be critical in helping us continue to develop and strengthen our distribution network. We see significant opportunities in Specialty Retail and big box distribution as well as the OEM manufacturing arm of our business, and bringing on an executive of Joe’s caliber to develop those opportunities was an important strategic step for our team. Joe’s experience, paired with his entrepreneurial spirit and customer-centric philosophy, makes him uniquely suited for this opportunity.”
Having spent most of his life in Florida, Butler is a lifelong waterman and enjoys spending time with his family kayaking, standup paddle boarding, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, and other outdoor sports such as biking, hiking, and camping.
Butler’s responsibilities include developing and overseeing all sales channels for YakAttack LLC, including the retail network, OEM relations, and e-commerce outlets.
About YakAttack LLC
Founded in 2009, YakAttack, LLC (https://www.YakAttack.us) is a leading brand in the kayak fishing accessories industry. The company operates a vertically integrated business model, which delivers industry leading designs, decreases time to market, and ensures high quality products. YakAttack enables anglers to outfit and rig their kayaks with industry leading solutions that optimize performance, improve organization, and ensure better comfort and safety.
