President & CEO , REI
Sally Jewell REI Phone: Email:
Sally Jewell is president and chief executive officer of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national outdoor retail cooperative dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its 2.8 million active members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure. Sally and her leadership team have helped establish REI as a model financial performer, a market-driven organization that better anticipates and responds to the changing needs and interests of people who enjoy outdoor recreation, and a cooperative with a multifaceted commitment to stewardship.
She joined REI as chief operating officer in 2000, after serving on its board of directors for four years, and was named CEO in March 2005. Prior to her employment with REI, Sally’s career spanned 19 years in the banking industry, specializing in energy banking, national accounts and credit administration. She led business banking activities in the Northwest for Rainier Bank, Security Pacific Bank and WestOne Bank; and served as the president and CEO of WestOne Bank Washington and Washington Mutual’s Commercial Banking Group. Before pursuing a career in banking, Sally was an engineer for Mobil Oil Corporation in Oklahoma and Colorado.
Sally is an active spokesperson on behalf of REI and the industry regarding the importance of outdoor activities in the lives of Americans, and is involved in a variety of community and civic causes.
Business and Professional Associations• Board of directors – RILA• Board of directors – National Parks Conservation Association• Chair – University of Washington Board of Regents• Founding board member and past president – Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust• Host committee member – Initiative for Global Development
EducationGraduate of the University of Washington with a degree in mechanical engineering
About REIFounded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality outdoor equipment, REI operates 85 retail stores nationwide in 25 states, two online stores – REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com – REI Outdoor School and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from all of the top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, hiking, outdoor fitness, paddling, snow sports and travel, including its own line of award-winning gear and apparel. As an active supporter of the communities in which it does business, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions. In 2009, REI was named among the top 15 great companies on FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America.” REI has been included in the rankings for 11 consecutive years.