NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Brad Edwards and Aaron Brown have joined the Giant USA sales team as Account Executives.
Edwards is now rep'ing for the brand in Southern California, from West Los Angeles County through the Central Coast. Brown is working with Giant retailers in a region encompassing most of Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska.
"Aaron comes to us after a long tenure at Niner as their West field rep," said Eric Woods, Giant USA's regional manager for the Southwest. "He brings a unique background in working with retailers in this aggressively competitive territory. He fully understands the business landscape of the Rocky Mountains and has a rock-solid work ethic. He's hitting the ground full steam ahead for our retailers."
"With an amazing team in place and outstanding product to sell, I'm extremely fortunate to be joining Giant at such an exciting time for the company," said Brown, who lives in Fort Collins, Colo. "There is a positive energy around the brand and I am eager to get to know our great dealer base in the region and to take the territory to the next level."
Edwards comes to Giant after several years as general manager of the Helen's Cycles/I.Martin Bicycles chain of stores in Southern California. He was also the owner of Gusto Cycles in Taylors, South Carolina. "Brad has a firm grasp of the mechanics of bicycle retail," said Karsten Hagen, Giant USA's regional manager for the West. "He has a strong sense of what needs to happen in the L.A. market both long and short term. He's a valuable asset in driving the Giant brand forward in an incredibly competitive area."
Edwards, who lives in Santa Monica, feels his previous experience puts him in a unique position. "As a former owner/operator of a small IBD and the General Manager of a large multi-store retailer, I have an extensive understanding of the day-to-day challenges retailers face," he said. "I believe that will allow me to form strong productive relationships with my Giant retailers. Above all, I want them to know I'm committed to their success."
In early May, Giant announced that longtime inside sales rep Keith "KK" Ketterer would become the Southern California account executive. But shortly after that announcement, Ketterer decided to stay inside with Giant.
"After days of serious soul searching about how I could best serve the Giant team," he said, "I decided that the right seat for me is the one I've called home for the past 13 years – and that is as a member of the inside sales team."
