Highlander Podcast

Yoji Kaneda, Product Line Manager at Danner Boots, speaks to students about his day-to-day role as a PLM, key skills and traits required for success, and the behind-the-scenes dynamic between design, development, and product management. Yoji Kaneda https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoji-kaneda-584679184/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Hi...

Dick Tracy, inventor and innovator, talks about his contributions to the outdoor industry including the invention of the plastic buckle in a world dominated by metal fasteners. Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Developm...

Spencer Wyatt, Director of Concepts and Surface Design at Allbirds, speaks to OPDD students about his interest in color and materials and the influence of Ninja Turtles on his design career.   Spencer Wyatt Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-wyatt-84b8237/   Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O   Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opd...

Rhonda Summer, Design Director for Men’s and Women’s Outerwear & Outdoor at Under Armour  and Katherine Connolly, a Graphic Designer at Under Armour, talk about the influence of archives on the design process and the power archival collections can have to influence future work. Rhonda Summer https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondasummer/ Katherine Connolly https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-connolly...

Katie Hargrave and Meredith Laura Lynn, educators and artists, shared how archives and a recent visit to USU Special Collections influenced some recent projects and art installations that explore the intersection of the outdoors and artistic expression. Katie Hargrave Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga https://instagram.com/katie_hargrave_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https:/...

Clare Pavelka, Brand Archivist for Red Wing and Vasque, speaks at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about her role and the creation and growth of the archive. Clare Pavelka https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-pavelka-50b0578/ Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguides.usu.edu/c.php?g=1082619&p=8616180 Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en...

Catherine Acosta, Brand Archivist for Vans, speaks at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about why history matters and the creation and growth of the Vans archive. Catherine Acosta https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-acosta-2778b2109/ https://www.instagram.com/bourgeoisspirituality/ Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguides.usu.edu/c.php?g=1082619&p=8616180 Outdoor Recreation Archive...

Darren Ritten, Brand Archivist for Arc’teryx, speaks at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about the origins of the corporate archive as well as the opportunities and challenges of building an archive from the ground up. Darren Ritten https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-r-642aa92a/ https://instagram.com/mgssince1989?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguides.usu.edu/c....

Stine Danielle, an artist who specializes in centering the voices of people of color in outdoor spaces speaks at the Outdoor History Summit about their time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive and her research as a 2022 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow. Stine Danielle https://stinedanielle.com/ https://www.instagram.com/stine__danielle/ Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguides.usu.ed...

Dr. Rachel Gross, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Denver speaks at the Outdoor History Summit about their time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive and research on the history of big box and specialty retail in the outdoor industry. Dr. Gross was a 2022 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow. Dr. Rachel Gross https://rachel-gross.com/ Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellowship https://libguid...

Climbing legend Conrad Anker speaks at the Outdoor Recreation Archive Kamp Kit Exhibit opening at Utah State University. Anker talks about the history of the outdoor industry, the evolution of gear, and the challenges of a changing climate for product designers. Conrad Anker Website https://www.conradanker.com/ MEDIA: Utah State Today https://www.usu.edu/today/story/renowned-climber-conrad-anker-t...

Robert Thomas, Senior Director - USA for Arc’teryx, talks with students about the qualities of a great product line manager and PLMs as the hub of the product creation process. Robert Thomas | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthomas/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highla...

On this episode of the History of Gear, two Marmot alums, Laura Miera, the VP of Technical Product Development and Randy Verniers, VP of International Sales talk about the early days of the company, the transition from domestic to international production, and the evolution of brands that go through multiple acquisitions. Laura Miera Collection at Utah State University: https://archiveswest.orbisc...

Sarah Al-Hussein, a product developer at Sanuk talks with first year product students at USU about their role as part of the product triad and the specific tasks of a developer in bringing footwear to market. Sarah Al-Hussein https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-al-hussein-20485789/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. h...

Dan Madden, founder of Madden Equipment, and Mike Valvano, former President at Madden join the History of Gear to talk about how Madden stood out from other early pack companies and the rise, acquisition, sunsetting, and revival of the brand today. Madden Equipment https://www.maddenequipment.com/ Dan Madden https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmadden/ Mike Valvano https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-valva...

On this episode of the History of Gear, we talk with Bob Anderson, Founder and Editor of Runner’s World. We talk about how he started the magazine, the evolution and massive growth of the sport, and how introduced millions of people to running. Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The High...

Jack Kirkham, owner of Springbar Tents, joins the History of Gear Series to talk about the oldest tentmaker in Utah, his father’s passion for making great product, and how they’ve continued to make heritage USA made tents. Learn more about Springbar Tents at their website: https://springbar.com/ For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcasts including o...

The Outdoor History Summit brings together historians, corporate archivists, brands, and enthusiasts to talk about the history and impact of the outdoor industry.  RSVP and check out the full-lineup in the link below! https://usu-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h3u7BxSfSKODasIu1WwU7w Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcas...

On this episode, Dominque showers, VP of ReBird, the circularity program at Arc’teryx, talks with students about upcycling, circularity, and what the company is doing to address sustainability issues in the past while building a roadmap to the future. Dominique Showers LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiquemorisset/ ReBird https://arcteryx.com/us/en/explore/rebird/   Watch these conversati...

On this episode of the History of Gear, the Hine brothers, Ted and Greg talk about the founding of Hine Snowbridge, their time working in the pack business, the growth of bike packing, and the shift form domestic to international pack production. For a more comprehensive history of Hine Snowbridge, visit: http://tedhine.com/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to th...

On this episode Jaimus Tailor, founder and creative director of Greater Goods talks to students about his pathway into the world of product design and the upside as well as limitations of upcycling. Greater Goods https://www.instagram.com/greater.goods/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast...

On this episode of the History of Gear, Catherine Acosta, Product Archivist and Brand Historian at Vans talks about material culture, the blending of consumer products and art, and the challenges and opportunities of building a corporate archive from the ground up. Catherine Acosta https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-acosta-2778b2109/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O...

On this episode of the History of Gear, we talk with Beirne Chisolm, co-founder of The Band. We talk about how he and his brother Greg broke into the accessories business with their watchband, the early Utah outdoor industry, and his motivations for continuing to work in this industry. Beirne Chisolm https://www.linkedin.com/in/beirne-chisolm-2407a5111/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https:...

On this episode, Ami Vo, at the time of recording, a Senior Recruiter at Deckers Brands, now at Nike, talks with students about the dos and don’ts of applying for positions in product creation and peels back the curtain on the hiring process. Ami Vo LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amivo/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O   Listen to these conversations on the Highla...

Allan Pietrasanta, owner and operator behind Buttermilk Mountain Works joins the History of Gear to talk about the influence of Bishop, CA on the company, the shift from outdoor gear to soft goods for the tech industry, and other memories from the outdoor industry. Allan Pietrasanta https://www.linkedin.com/in/allan-pietrasanta-28593496/ Watch these conversations on YouTube! https://bit.ly/33SVb2O...