Vista Outdoor Appoints Derek Tarlecki as President, Simms Fishing Products

Tarlecki was most recently Chief Integration Officer at simmswhere he led the brand’s integration into Vista Outdoor and helped the team deliver 25 percent year-over-year growth in the third quarter.

ANOKA, Minn., March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO), the parent company of 41 renowned brands that develop, manufacture and market sports and outdoor lifestyle products to consumers around the world, today announced its naming Derek Tarlecki as president of his Bozemann, Mont.-based Simms Fishing Products brand, effective immediately.

Tarlecki served as Chief Integration Officer at simms since September, following the departure of Simms CEO Casey Sheahan. Tarlecki’s lead accelerated simms Integration into the Vista Outdoor family and helped the team deliver 25 percent year-over-year growth in the third quarter. His numerous successes in this transition over the last few months made Tarlecki the ideal candidate.

“Fill this key simms Position is a priority since I took on the duties of interim CEO,” he said Gary McArthur, Interim CEO, Vista Outdoor. “The strength of our company lies in our brands, which continue to innovate and compete in their respective categories. Derek’s appointment strengthens our business unit leadership team simms – the anchor of our new fishing platform – and better positions us for the split of outdoor products and sporting products into two companies, which remains on track for this year.”

Tarlecki is a keen sportsman and longtime CEO. Prior to helping bring Simms Fishing into the company’s portfolio, he led strategy and co-headed M&A for Vista Outdoor and was instrumental in identifying and acquiring many of the company’s recent additions including Foresight Sports, Stone Glacier, Fox Racing and Simms Fishing. Before joining Vista Outdoor, Tarlecki advised and supported large and medium-sized companies at the global strategy consultancy Bain & Co. for almost 14 years.

Tarlecki is an active and passionate member of many conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. In his new role, he will be able to provide expertise and strategic advice on access, conservation and technical rulemaking issues.

“I’m honored to take on the role of President for such an iconic and innovative fishing brand,” said Tarlecki. “I have loved for a long time simms, both personally and professionally, and I look forward to working with this incredibly talented and dedicated team. I also look forward to working with our key partners – the 500+ retailers who are a cornerstone of our brand. I am grateful to Vista Outdoor for the opportunity and look forward to the honor simms storied past while supporting the brand’s focus on innovation, fish culture and championing the wild places we hold dear.”

Simms was founded in 1980. In July 2022Vista Outdoor has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire simms. In August, the company completed the acquisition for a purchase price of $192.5 millionwhich contain a present value of around 20 million dollars of future tax benefits.

Simms is now part of Vista Outdoor’s Outdoor Products segment and will be incorporated into the new Outdoor Products Company upon completion of the previously announced separation.

About Vista Outdoor Inc.
Vista Outdoor (NYSE: VSTO) is the parent company of more than three dozen renowned brands that design, manufacture and market athletic and outdoor products. Brands include Bushnell, CamelBak, Bushnell Golf, Foresight Sports, Fox Racing, Bell Helmets, Camp Chef, Giro, Simms Fishing, QuietKat, Stone Glacier, Federal Ammunition, Remington Ammunition and more. Our Outdoor Products and Sporting Products reporting segments offer consumers a wide range of performance-oriented, high-quality and innovative outdoor and sporting products. As Vista Outdoor announced in 2022, the company is separating its outdoor products and sports products segments into two independent, publicly traded companies. This plan is expected to be implemented in calendar year 2023. Visit our website at www.vistaoutdoor.com for news and information.

About Simms fishing products
founded in 1980, simms is the leading manufacturer of waders, outerwear and technical fishing apparel and accessories. The whole line of simms Equipment is available from specialty retailers and large format retailers North America and www.simmsfishing.com.

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SOURCE Vista Outdoor Inc.