Tarlecki has been serving as chief integration officer at Simms since September.
March 02, 2023
By Fly Fisherman Staff
Vista Outdoor Inc., the parent company of Simms Fishing Products , today announced that it has named Derek Tarlecki as president of the Bozeman, Mont.-based brand, effective immediately.
Tarlecki has been serving as chief integration officer at Simms since September, following the retirement of Simms CEO Casey Sheahan. Tarlecki’s leadership accelerated Simms’ integration into the Vista Outdoor family .
“I am honored to accept the role of president for such an iconic and innovative fishing brand,” said Tarlecki said in a press release. “I’ve long loved Simms, both personally and professionally, and I’m excited to work alongside this incredibly talented and dedicated team. I am also excited to get out and work with our key partners — the 500-plus retailers that are a cornerstone of our brand. I am thankful to Vista Outdoor for the opportunity, and I look forward to honoring Simms’ storied past while supporting the brand’s focus on innovation, fishy culture and advocacy for the wild places that we are so passionate about.”
Tarlecki is an active member of many conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. In his new role, he will be able to offer expertise and strategic guidance on issues of access, conservation and technical rulemakings.
Tarlecki is an avid sportsman and longtime business leader. Before helping integrate Simms Fishing into the company’s portfolio, he led strategy and co-led M&A for Vista Outdoor, and was an integral part of identifying and acquiring many of the company’s most recent additions, including Foresight Sports, Stone Glacier, Fox Racing and Simms Fishing. Before joining Vista Outdoor, Tarlecki spent nearly 14 years advising and supporting large- and medium-sized businesses at the global strategy consulting firm Bain & Co.
“Filling this key Simms position has been a priority since I assumed the interim CEO duties,” said Gary McArthur, interim CEO, Vista Outdoor. “The strength of our company lies with our brands, which are continuing to innovate and take share in their respective categories. Derek’s appointment bolsters our business unit leadership team at Simms—the anchor of our new fishing platform—and better positions us for the separation of Outdoor Products and Sporting Products into two companies, which remains on track for this year.”
