NEWBURY PARK, CA (BRAIN)—Industry veteran Jon Swanson has joined Giant Bicycles as global category manager-road.
In announcing the hiring of Swanson, Dennis Lane, Giant’s global product development director, said, “Jon has the passion and insight for all things road. He has the perfect blend of skills needed to advance our brand and our products to the next level.”
Swanson comes to Giant with years of industry experience, most recently at Reynolds Cycling where he was vice-president of product. Prior to Reynolds, he worked at Specialized for six years where he was a road and gear developer.
For his new role at Giant Swanson said, “I plan to bring my unbridled enthusiasm for all things 700c and help increase Giant’s global visibility as the leader in technology. To be a part of this team, which has long set the standard for road bike design and innovation, is a great opportunity.”
Swanson has hit the ground running at Giant; he only just arrived at the company’s U.S. headquarters in mid-June and he’s already had a role in the Global Media Launch of Giant’s 2012 road bicycles that took place in Mallorca, Spain, during the week of June 20th. “Lighter, stiffer, and faster,” he said of the new Giant road bikes that were unveiled to bicycle industry editors. “Everyone wants to go faster with less energy and what was revealed in Mallorca definitely accomplishes that goal.”
“Jon’s strong and successful background in development is evident in his competitive spirit,” Lane added. “He demands a lot of himself. That’s reflected in his need to overachieve at the retail level; he is dedicated to meeting retailer and consumer wants and needs.”
Swanson will be relocating with his wife and two children to southern California in early August.
