Columbia Sportswear names Nike alum as chief digital information officer

By

Robin Driver

Published
Jan 29, 2021

Portland, Oregon-based outdoor apparel group Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Skip Potter to the newly created role of executive vice president and chief digital information officer, effective April 1, 2021.

 
In this new position, Potter will lead Columbia’s global technology organization and will be tasked with developing the company’s digital footprint and omni-channel and supply chain capabilities. He will report to Columbia CEO and president Tim Boyle.
 
Potter brings more than 20 years of experience to Columbia, having most recently served as chief technology officer at Nike, where he led a digital and e-commerce technology team of some 2,000 employees spread around the globe.

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Prior to joining Nike, the executive, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, was managing vice president of engineering and vice president of technology innovation at Capital One from 2011 to 2014. His previous experience also includes a six-year stint at British Telecommunication’s Enterprise Group, where he ultimately held the role of CIO/CTO.
 
“Elevating our information technology and digital capabilities will continue to be a critical component to the success of our business,” commented Boyle in a release. “I’m thrilled to have Skip’s leadership on board to drive and enable the growth and continued transformation of our business.”
 
Potter’s appointment is part of a wider strategy being implemented by Columbia in order to support the growth of its omni-channel business, primarily through the improvement of its digital capabilities.
 
This initiative saw Franco Fogliato transition to the role of EVP for global omni-channel in October of last year, while Patricia Higgins was promoted to SVP for e-commerce.
 
In the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, Columbia reported net income of $62.8 million on sales of $701.1 million.
 
The company plans to report its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results on Thursday, February 4, 2021.