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INTERVIEW
Why am I still at evo?
This is an easy one. I'm here because I love the people. "The people" include everyone that works at evo, our customers, people we do business with and anyone/everyone else that we come into contact with through this great job. Of course building a world-class company with a collective vision to do things differently is all part of it but in the end, it all boils down to the people. If it weren't for working with and connecting with great people, forget it. For more insight into why I'm here and why I believe almost everyone at evo is here, check out "The Great 8".

Spare Time?
Is that a trick question? I've really enjoyed a year of being a Big Brother and I just found out that my wife and I are having a baby! Will that cut into my spare time? We can't wait.

How did you come to work at evo?
My uncle Jack took me downhill skiing at Mt. Ashland in Oregon for my first time when I was in the 4th grade. He was generous to have bought me a lift ticket and rent me some skis. I got hooked and needed to figure out how to pay for it and the rest is history. "evo" as we know it today wasn't founded until 2001 but I was buying and selling gear to pay for my passion since grade school.

Politcal affiliation?
Take a quick look at "The Great 8" and specifically our Core Value, "Invitation". Given the current political climate and the way so many people are being treated, especially right now, this one really strikes home for me.

Favorite Place to shred?
Alpental, Whistler, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, Argentina, Haines, All Together Skatepark below evo Seattle...the list goes on and on.

Why the Northwest? Why Seattle?
The healthy balance that you can achieve here in the Northwest is unique for so many reasons. Seattle has incredible mountains 30-45 minutes from downtown, bodies of water in every direction and forward thinking, friendly people that value a healthy lifestyle make this place tough to beat. Close 2nd's include Vancouver, Whistler and Squamish, BC and Portland but Seattle is the spot for me. I really can't imagine homebase being anywhere else.

Anything new at evo that's especially exciting?
There's a lot of "new" at evo but our most recent, big announcement is our move to Whistler. I started evo while living on couches in Whistler, buying used gear and bringing it into Seattle to sell on the web. To get this full circle opportunity is pretty amazing.

Ski or snowboard? Bike, skate or surf?
Yes! I'm loving all of the above these days.

Words for Christine
Christine Koller is not only responsible for much of what evo is today but she has also been a very, very close friend since we started working together back in 2005. Christine helped shape our brand and really carried the torch when it came to understanding what we were all about. She shared that with all at evo and all that she came into contact with. I spent more time with Christine than anyone when we first opened the store and launched the new site. She's someone that I've always trusted and cared for not only in the evo sitting but as a good friend. All that know Christine know how strong of a person she was. Her sense of style, understanding of people and love for being a great leader, beautiful smile, hilarious sense of humor, intense work ethic, care for others, crazy-sharp intellect and grounded sense when it came to being a great friend and partner to Michael all make her a person that I love and will never forget. She is missed deeply by all of us and I don't think we've even started to understand what a profound effect her passing will have on all of us.

What gear are you rocking this year?
The list is long! All Together Skatepark skate deck, a quiver of snowboards and skis, Transition Patrol carbon mountain bike, Patagonia snow kit, our new evo ski/snowboard bag + evo clothing (our new shorts are my favorite mt bike shorts btw), Lib Tech Surfboard...the list goes on.