Minna Casser

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”

In the outdoor industry there is an innate “longing for the sea,” a passion for the outdoors that drives us toward success. My dad introduced me to the outdoor industry growing up, taking me skiing as soon as I could walk, bringing me into his office at Carrera, and having me shadow him when he began distributing MBT Shoes in the US.

My passion for the outdoor industry was solidified when I graduated from American University and began working as marketing and communications coordinator and executive assistant to David Ingemie at SnowSports Industries America. David showed me the importance of supporting the industry by providing market research and data analysis, connecting retailers and consumers, spreading excitement about snow sports, and hosting a successful annual SIA Snow Show. I struggled talking about skiing every day from my desk in Washington, DC, so after three great years at SIA I made the move to Denver, CO where I could get my fix of skiing, hiking, climbing, and biking.

Upon moving to Denver I began working for Mountain Trading Co. as a sales and field service representative for KÜHL Clothing, AVEX Hydration, and Theo Chocolate in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. I had the opportunity to visit accounts in all seven states, and to meet with buyers at various outdoor shows. This experience helped me understand what tools sales reps need on the road as well as in the showroom.

I met Leta Kalfas at the SIA Shmooz and she was brimming with excitement about the brands MtnStuff represents. MtnStuff stands out from the crowd, being a progressive agency that works to support vendors through numerous channels. I sat in on a weekly MtnStuff Skype call before joining the team and soon learned their secret to success; MtnStuff operates as a family, supporting one another and working together to accomplish shared goals. I am honored to have found such a family, and look forward to adventures yet to come!