REI Members Elect Two New Directors

SEATTLE, April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- REI's members recently elected two new directors to represent their interests on the co-op's board of directors. The national outdoor gear and apparel retailer held its Annual Members' Meeting on April 28 at its iconic flagship store in downtown Seattle, where the voting results were announced.

Co-op members elected Karen E. (Kari) Glover and Sharon Philpott to three-year terms and re-elected Cheryl Scott to a three-year term. Earlier in the year, the REI board re-appointed Chloe Harford and Matt Compton to one-year terms.

A Seattle resident, Glover practiced law for 30 years at Preston Gates & Ellis, where she was managing partner of the firm. Currently, she serves on the board of trustees of her alma mater, Whitman College, and on the board of United Way Worldwide where she is the chair of the executive compensation committee. She also chairs the board of VillageReach, is chair-elect of the Urban Libraries Council and is immediate past president of the King County Library System Foundation.

Philpott resides in White Salmon, Wash. She is a certified public accountant and currently is a member of the finance and audit committee of the Oregon Health and Science University Foundation and on the advisory council of The Wendy and Emery Reves Center for International Studies at The College of William and Mary. Previously, Philpott was the Seattle office managing partner of BDO USA, LLP.  She also served 24 years with EY in domestic and global leadership positions. She has been a board member of the Washington Society of CPAs since 2011.

Scott has served on REI's board since 2005. Formerly the CEO of Group Health Cooperative, Scott is a senior advisor with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where she provides strategic support and counsel to the Global Development Program. She joined the Gates Foundation in 2006 as chief operating officer.

Harford resides in Seattle. She has a background in digital commerce, including her current position as vice president of rentals at Zillow, a leading online real estate information marketplace. She also serves on the board of directors of The Mountaineers.

Compton is CEO of ShopIgniter, Inc., a Portland, Ore.-based software company that provides an enterprise social marketing platform. Previously, he was a Venture Partner at Madrona Venture Group and is an active advisor in the Portland technology community. In addition to his business background, Compton serves on the board of the Access Fund, an advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment.

In addition, the board re-elected John Hamlin for another year as chair and re-elected Scott as vice chair. Departing board members Michael Smith, Seattle, and Jesse King, Evergreen, Colo., were also recognized and thanked during the Annual Meeting for their years of service and valuable contributions to the co-op and its members.

About REI
REI is a $2 billion national multichannel retail co-op headquartered outside of Seattle. With more than 5 million active members, REI serves the needs of outdoor adventurers through innovative, quality products; inspiring classes and trips; and integrated customer service that allows shoppers to buy great gear and clothing in any way they want. REI has 132 stores in 33 states, as well as REI.com and REI.com/outlet. Anyone may shop with REI, while members pay a one-time $20 fee to receive a share in the company's profits through an annual patronage refund. Membership in the co-op also includes special promotions and discounts on REI Adventures trips and REI Outdoor School classes.

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SOURCE REI