Job Title: NXTZ Brand Manager / Flow Snowboarding Team / Marketing Coordinator
Employer: Flow Sports
Years on snow: 24 big ones.
Days on snow: undisclosed information
Currently Riding: Flow Shifty 57, Flow M9 SE Bindings, Flow Rift Boots
Currently I am: Happy
Shay: Tell us a little bit about yourself
Dale: Old School, passionate, responsible, Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Friend.
Shay: How has snowboarding changed your life?
Dale: It has always been my life so it has not actually changed my life.
Shay: How did you get your start in the industry, who or what opened up more opportunities for you?
Dale: I was a regional sponsored riders in the mid-west in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I then turned pro for the next 8 years. After the pro career was over it was a natural transition to work in the industry. I could thank a ton of people for helping me get to where I am today, but I credit myself for wanting to be where I am today and following my dreams.
Shay: How has your previous education or work experience helped you in your current job?
Dale: My background as a pro rider was the launch pad to a job in the industry. Once you have 24 years of doing one thing, it pretty much shows you are in the game.
Shay: Tell us about your role at NXTZ and Flow and a description of the work you do?
Dale: At NXTZ I am the driving force behind the brand. Brand direction, product development, merchandising etc. Everything except sales are under my umbrella. With Flow I am just getting into the team and marketing rolls. Working with other Flow employees and creating interesting, fresh ideas to help Flow stand above the rest is what I am working towards.
Shay: If you had to make up a job title that most accurately described what you REALLY do, what would it be?
Dale: Brand Ambassador at Flow Sports.
Shay: Describe the craziest day/moment you’ve had at your job?
Dale: Well, every day is crazy in my roll. So many things are happening and we are firing at all levels. So it is exciting to come to work everyday and take on the challenges that come up.
Shay: What are some memorable experiences from working in the industry?
Dale: My best memories from working in this industry are for sure travel memories. All the places around the World that snowboarding has taken me, whether being a pro rider or working for brands, travel is the best part of it all. Meeting new people, seeing interesting cultures and how people operate in different parts of the World and learning from it all.
Shay: What do you think are the biggest challenges that the snowboard industry faces and what changes would you like to see for the future?
Dale: I feel the biggest challenge that we face is the weather. If it doesn’t snow, we are all F’d. Other than that it’s a price game and a marketing game, who ever can do both best will win. In regards to changes, it would be nice to see a centralized event planning group so the industry and riders can have more say in how and when these huge events happen. The snowboard industry needs to stand together to benefit from these big marketing events….let’s stop handing all our efforts over to the non-endemic super corporations. We built this so let’s control it.
Shay: What advice would you give to people wanting to work in the industry?
Dale: If you want to work in this industry get after it. Love it, Live it and want it more than anything. Don’t think that you’ll be riding more because you work in the snow biz, it’s just not that way. If you want to ride more go work at a mountain town, get a seasons pass and bus dishes at night…yeah shredder.
Find out more at:
Facebook NXTZ: facebook.com/NXTZGEAR or NXTZ – Active Accessories
Facebook Flow: facebook.com/flowsnowboarding
Twitter NXTZ: @NXTZ
Twitter FLOW: @flow_snowboarding
Instagram NXTZ: @NXTZ
Instagram FLOW: @flow_snowboarding
Website NXTZ: nxtz.com (new site dropping soon!)
Website FLOW: flow.com