Headlines

REI Ceo Nominated for U.S. Cabinet Post

Sally Jewell, an engineer and environmentalist, would head Interior Department

Published

11 years ago

February 12, 2013

eric.caoili

President Obama has announced Sally Jewell, president and ceo of REI Inc. (Seattle), as his nominee for Interior Secretary, to succeed the outgoing Ken Salazar.

Jewell has been at the head of the environmentally minded outdoors apparel and equipment retailer since 2005. A petroleum engineer by training, she joined the company’s board in 1996 after more than 20 years in commercial banking and the oil industry. She became chief operating officer in 2000.

As ceo, she not only led the retailer’s much-publicized sustainability initiatives, she also doubled annual sales to $2 billion, added 71 stores and expanded REI’s online business.

“Sally has helped turn a stalling outdoor retailer into one of America’s most successful and environmentally conscious companies,” said Obama. “Last year, REI donated almost $4 million to protect trails and parks. Twenty percent of the electricity used in REI stores comes from renewable sources.”

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