Columbia Sportswear Company has announced a big change in its leadership. Beginning November 12, Peter Bragdon and Joseph Boyle will become co-presidents, a move that supports the company’s long-term plans.
Under the new structure:
- Peter Bragdon will serve as president of the company. He will manage Columbia’s international business and oversee its other brands — Mountain Hardwear, PrAna, and Sorel. He will also continue handling administrative and distributor sales functions.
- Joseph Boyle will be president of the Columbia brand. He will keep leading the company’s main label, including all of North America, which he began overseeing in mid-2025.
Both Bragdon and Boyle will report to Timothy Boyle, who has been the company’s chairman and CEO for many years.
Columbia Sportswear has been run by the same family for generations. Joseph Boyle is the son of CEO Tim Boyle and the grandson of Gert Boyle, who helped make Columbia a global outdoor brand. The company began in 1937, when Paul and Marie Lamfrom, who were German refugees, started a small hat business in Portland. Since then, Columbia has grown into a multi-billion-dollar brand recognized around the world.
Tim Boyle expressed pride in how far the company has come and said he is confident in the new leadership team.
“I have spent most of my life growing the company and its several brands,” he said. “As the company returns to growth, new opportunities will be developed, and enthusiastic leadership will take Columbia to the next level.”
He called Bragdon a trusted leader who has helped Columbia grow in 74 countries. He also praised Joseph Boyle for leading Project Accelerate, a plan to update the Columbia brand for younger and more active customers.
Columbia also announced these new executive roles:
- Richelle Luther as executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel
- Jana Humble as senior vice president and chief human resources officer
Both of these appointments will also start on November 12.
In its latest earnings report, Columbia shared mixed results:
- Third-quarter sales were $943.4 million, up 1 percent.
- International sales grew strongly, especially in Europe.
- U.S. sales, however, declined 4 percent to $546.7 million.
- Operating income fell 40 percent compared to last year.
To tackle challenges in the U.S. market, the company is focusing more on its Accelerate Growth Strategy. One key step is launching a new brand platform, “Engineered for Whatever,” which brings back the fun and bold spirit that made Columbia stand out in the 1980s and 1990s.
Columbia expects sales in the fourth quarter to drop by 5 to 8 percent, and earnings per share are also likely to go down.
With a stronger leadership team and a new focus on building the brand, Columbia Sportswear hopes to recover in the U.S. market and keep growing overseas. The appointments of Bragdon and Boyle start a more team-based leadership approach, which the company believes will help it grow in the future.
