KENT, Wash. (BRAIN) — Chris Speyer, managing director for Accell North America, is leaving the company to join REI as vice president of private brands. He will take on his new role Oct. 30.
"After 11.5 years with Accell, I am leaving the company to pursue a new and exciting opportunity," Speyer said in an email to BRAIN. "Working at Accell has been a great ride, but it is time for new leadership to spearhead ANA's direction.
"I want to thank Accell, and its predecessor Raleigh America, for providing me with the opportunity to take on a leadership role for more than a decade and to be ANA's managing director for the past 3-plus years. Believe me when I tell you that I have put my heart and soul into building the business and personally taking on active role in service to the industry."
Speyer's last day with Accell North America is Oct. 13. ANA is expected to name his successor soon.
Speyer will oversee all private label development for REI — not just bike, but also softgoods and hardgoods.
Speyer grew up selling skis and bikes at a store in Ottawa, Canada. He managed ski and bike purchasing for the Forzani Group for 10 years and then worked at Worldwide Cycle, distributor of Iron Horse and other brands, for two years before joining Raleigh.
Speyer began his career in 2006 with Raleigh America and played an active role in the May 2012 sales of Raleigh America to Accell Group as well as SBS's sale to Hawley-Lambert North America in March 2016.
He's held various stints including VP of marketing and product for Raleigh, COO and CEO of Accell North America and most recently managing director. Accell North America is parent company of Raleigh, Diamondback and Redline.
Speyer is a board advisor and former president of the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association and board member of PeopleForBikes.
