Oceanside, CA – May 22, 2024 – Hobie, the leader in innovative watercraft and adventure products, is proud to announce the hiring of Joel McBride as Vice President of Sales and James McBeath as Director of Marketing. With over 70 combined years of experience in adventure sports, these new hires bring a wealth of industry knowledge and a dynamic vision to Hobie’s leadership team. Joel and James will collaborate with both long-standing and new staff to elevate Hobie’s sales and marketing strategies to unprecedented heights.
Hobie Reshaping the Path Forward
The hiring of Joel and James mark the start of a new era for Hobie, one that sees the deepening connection of a legendary outdoor brand to today’s outdoor market place. These changes start with evolving sales programs and dynamic, modern marketing tactics.
Marty Pathak, President of Hobie, expressed his enthusiasm for the new hires: “We’re thrilled to welcome Joel and James to the Hobie family. Their combined experience and innovative thinking will be instrumental in driving our sales and marketing efforts to new levels. They bring a fresh perspective that aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver the best adventure products to our customers.”
About Joel McBride
Joel McBride is a paddle sports veteran with over 35 years of experience. Joel started at Wave Sport, a leading whitewater manufacturer, and helped it become a market leader. He then managed sales for all brands at Confluence, making him one of the top sales professionals in the industry. At Confluence, he played a key role in popularizing the Tarpon series of kayaks. Joel then moved to Pelican International, where his work with national accounts propelled the company to market dominance. Since joining Hobie two years ago, Joel has focused on enhancing Hobie’s presence in the fishing and recreational markets.
Joel McBride commented on his new role: “I’m excited for the changes being made at Hobie. Our goal is to strengthen our organization to provide increased dealer support and connect with our consumers as well. Hobie struggled with the post-pandemic slow down and, as a leading manufacturer, we have a long hill to climb. We are going to rebuild our sales force and our marketing program to bring Hobie back to the forefront of the outdoor markets. I look forward to working with our team to achieve these ambitious goals. “
About James McBeath
James McBeath brings over 35 years of experience in outdoor sports marketing. His career began with leading marketing agencies and professional sports teams like The Montreal Canadiens, The Carolina Hurricanes, and USA Hockey in the late 90s. Transitioning to paddle sports, James outdoor business adventures began with marketing for Liquid Skills Kayak School, Heliconia Press, and, in 2003, led the World Kayak initiative. In 2007 James became Jackson Kayak’s first Marketing Director. In that role he drove the brand to dominance in the whitewater market and spearheaded its growth into kayak fishing. James’ expertise spans customer support, brand management, product development, and more, making him a well-rounded lead for Hobie’s marketing team.
James McBeath shared his vision for Hobie’s marketing direction: “Joining Hobie is a tremendous opportunity. My focus will be on increasing brand awareness and engaging the marketplace with modern, consumer-reaching tactics. We have a strong foundation to build on, and I am eager to bring Hobie’s story to a wider audience.”
Joel and James will prioritize building out the sales force and dealer support systems, strengthening Hobie’s brands, increasing brand awareness, and engaging the marketplace with modern consumer-reaching tactics.
About Hobie
Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water, and quality products. From their headquarters in Oceanside, California, Hobie designs and manufactures an impressive collection of innovative watercraft that includes surfboards, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, and accessories, all aimed at making water adventures accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
