Pre-Employment Testing for Better Hiring

Wayne Merck

 Wayne Merck

The key component to successfully leading any business entity is acquiring and retaining the best people. Dramatic improvement in hiring, internal promotions, acquisition integration, and ultimately, individual and team development functions create a compelling strategic competitive advantage.

 

Wayne Merck is a Strategy and Operations Executive with experience in managing multiple brands, categories and distribution channels for long-term growth, and served as President of K2 Inc. (NYSE – KTO) since November 2003 and ultimately Chief Executive Officer and Director in 2007. Merck led the successful sale and integration of K2 Inc. with Jarden Corporation, a Fortune 500 Company in 2008. During his tenure, he established K2 Inc.’s extensive global manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, sales and distribution structure throughout north America, Europe and Asia and successfully led the acquisition and integration of over 25 sporting goods businesses in the US and Europe, increasing revenue from $600 million to over $1.5 billion during this time.

Merck served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of K2 Inc. from October 2002, Executive Vice President of Operations from 2000, and Vice President of the Company since 1996. Since 1992 Merck served as President of numerous business units owned by K2 Inc. including Shakespeare Composites & Electronics (South Carolina), Anthony Pools (Los Angeles), K2 Sports (Seattle), and Rawlings (St. Louis), after initially joining the company in 1991 as Director of Manufacturing for Shakespeare Company.

Prior to joining K2 Inc., he held various managerial positions with Milliken & Co., including Plant Manager.

Merck received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and a Master’s from the Clemson-Furman joint MBA program.

Board Memberships

  • Director – Standard Pacific Corporation, NYSE-listed company and one of the largest US homebuilders, with annual sales of $2.0 Billion.
  • Member of Executive Committee – Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association Trade organization representing over 1,000 sporting goods manufacturers.
  • Director – Sportsmen’s Foundation for Military Families, Inc. Non-profit foundation whose mission is to provide aid to military families.