(Vancouver, BC, Canada) – Popular golf and sportswear designer Linda Hipp announces that her company, LIJA, has hired Judy Donovan to serve as Sales Manager, Eastern U.S., helping service a rapidly expanding account base.
A seasoned apparel industry veteran, Donovan has expansive golf market knowledge gained from seven years as National Sales Manager with Liz Claiborne, where she launched the Lizgolf division. She also served as Director of U.S. Sales for Burberry Golf and, most recently, as Vice President of Sales for Eastern Pacific Apparel where she managed a 25-person national sales staff.
Donovan joins a superb sales team that will now feature a three-pronged approach for enhanced market coverage, with Marni Hardin serving as Sales Manager, Western U.S., and Stacey Robinson as Sales Manager, Canada. Each Sales Manager and their designated territory will also be supported by a specific Customer Service Coordinator.
Hardin has been with LIJA three years and played an instrumental role in the company’s outstanding organic sales growth. Robinson successfully handled a significant expansion in her duties since joining the company in early 2004.
"The addition of Judy and the reorganization of our sales and management structure gives us excellent market coverage and enhances our regional focus," says Hipp. "It puts us in a great position to provide substantial support from our headquarters office and distinguishes us in the marketplace. We envision a seamless sales and service process with reps and customers being the ultimate benefactors."
"I’m very excited to use my experience and enthusiasm for the golf and sportswear industries to help grow this great apparel brand," says Donovan. "Linda’s designs have extremely broad appeal that reaches women of all ages, so the opportunities are enormous."
More information is available at www.LIJAStyle.com or 604.270.6060.
About LIJA
LIJA’s Spring and Fall 2006 collections are currently available in better on- and off-course retailers throughout North America, including world-renowned resorts like Pebble Beach, Doral, Kiawah Island and Kapalua. The collections feature the distinctive European-inspired styling that has made LIJA a favorite of fashion-conscious golfers and non-golfers alike the past nine years.
A trend-setter and market leader, Hipp showcases innovative textures, superior styling, unique prints and functional fabrics to create elegant yet sporty complements to the various moods of a modern woman’s lifestyle.
LIJA has received significant recognition within and outside the golf industry, achieving organic annual sales growth of at least 50 percent each of the past seven years. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account base in North America, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Australian and Japanese markets.
Recognition for the company includes:
2006 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies (No. 69)
2005 Canadian Golf Company of the Year – Score Golf magazine
2005 PROFIT W100 Ranking of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs (No. 3)
2004 Polartec APEX Award (for innovative use of technical fabrics)
North America’s "Top-5 Up-and-Coming Women’s Golf Apparel" – GolfWorld Business
Individually, Hipp has been honored as a grant recipient of the Matinee Fashion Foundation Award, which annually recognizes and funds select Canadian designers, and voted a "40 Under 40" winner by Business in Vancouver.
Hipp, 39, previously worked as a business development executive for Vancouver’s Canucks (NHL) and Grizzlies (NBA). An avid and highly-skilled golfer, Hipp struggled to find on-course apparel that meshed with her off-course fashion sensibility. Recognizing a market opportunity – and the chance to combine her passions for fashion, golf and business – Hyp Golf was launched in July 1997. The company re-branded as LIJA in late 2004. Chiefly influenced by both European trends and West Coast style, Hipp has garnered a widespread reputation as one of North America’s hottest sportswear designers.
Contact:
Tom Williams
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3322
twilliams@billycaspergolf.com
