Jerry Lund is guiding his surfwear career back into more familiar waters.
After a short run as national sales manager for a newcomer to the surf scene,Nike’s Irvine-based action sportswear unit of the All Conditions Gear brand,Lund has become vice president of sales for a brand named after a surfing legend: Greg Noll Oceanwear.
“I believe in the concept and I thought it would be fun to be with working with Greg Noll I think there’s a real niche in the more mature surf market for the Greg Noll line,” said Lund, who is also working on several other projects.
Nike closed its Irvine offices Nov. 17, pulling out of the surfwear/skateboard apparel market just three months after launching its new spring 2001 brand in September. Moving away from Southern California was not an option for Lund, who passed on an offer to become a regional sales manager on the West Coast for Nike’s ACG division.
In his new role at 1-year-old Greg Noll Oceanwear, Lund will head up a team of six sales representatives. The surf company also operates a retail stores at its headquarters with four employees. Sales are projected to be $1 million for 2001.
“Jerry will be a much welcomed part of the team and will be a key layer in the launching of an already successful developing brand,” said John Bernards, CEO, Greg Noll Oceanwear.
Prior to joining Nike in August 2000, Lund spent 12 years at Rusty Apparel in Irvine as its vice president of sales. Before that, he was vice president of merchandising for Ocean Pacific Apparel in Irvine and has served as vice president of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association.
Lund, 52, has been a surfer since 1960. He lives in Rancho Santa Fe with his wife Michelle; they have 13-year-old daughter, Natalie.
