BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Charlie Cooper, former president of research firm Leisure Trends Group, joins the senior management team at PeopleForBikes this week as vice president of membership and development.
Cooper will focus on building partnerships with the industry — both suppliers and retailers — as well as with non-endemic corporations to improve cycling in the U.S. He will also play a leadership role in expanding and activating PeopleForBikes’ broad base of 800,000 individual supporters.
“I have long admired the work that PeopleForBikes does to make bikes part of the solution to so many challenges and opportunities. To say that I’m thrilled to join the team is an understatement,” Cooper said.
During his five years at Leisure Trends Group (LTG), Cooper climbed the ladder from sales manager to president, becoming a respected leader in the bike and outdoor industries. LTG measures and analyzes sales and customer trends in the cycling, outdoor, sporting goods, running, ski and snowboard sectors.
Cooper left LTG in November after it was acquired by New York-based market research and consulting firm the NPD Group. Jim Kelley, formerly vice president and COO of LTG, now serves as president of Leisure Trends, An NPD Group Company.
Cooper’s resume also includes stints in sales and marketing at interactive entertainment publisher Electronic Arts and motorsports association NASCAR.
“Charlie loves bicycling, already knows a lot of people in the bike industry, and he has extensive marketing and sales experience with major corporations,” said PeopleForBikes president Tim Blumenthal. “Through his work at Leisure Trends, he’s learned how to connect with customers and mobilize them, and he’s a pro at analyzing market trends and quantifying results. Add his tremendous leadership and people skills, and he’ll be a great addition to our staff.”
