PARK CITY, UTAH (July 27, 2007) – Kelly Phillipps has joined Backcountry.com, the fastest growing online retailer of outdoor gear and apparel, as its CIO. Phillipps is an enterprise IT expert with more than 25 years of technology and business experience.

“Kelly brings a focused enterprise IT perspective to Backcountry.com,” said Jim Holland, CEO of Backcountry.com. “We’re experiencing an outrageous growth spurt, and we need to make sure the processes and systems are in place to move with us.”

After starting his career in data processing at the U.S. Postal Service, Phillipps joined Franklin International Institute (a.k.a. Franklin Covey), where he served first as a database technologies expert and then as director of eCommerce (launching FranklinCovey.com). As the CEO of Center7, he oversaw the design, structuring, and operation of eCommerce systems for dozens of well-endowed dot coms and brick-and-mortars with strong Web presences. Most recently, Phillipps spent three years as the operations chief and enterprise architect at OC Tanner.

Phillipps is a sought-after speaker on IT leadership, Open Source, and eCommerce. He has served on two special Governors’ Technology Councils and is the President of the Utah Society of Information Management.

“The energy here at Backcountry.com is irresistible,” Philipps said about his new gig. “And so is the killer gear.”

About Backcountry.com
Backcountry.com is an online retailer of performance outdoor adventure gear and apparel for men, women, and children. The e-commerce site carries more than 400 brands in various categories, including backpacking, camping, hiking, climbing, trail running, paddling, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and adventure travel. Backcountry.com also operates BackcountryOutlet.com, SteepandCheap.com, Dogfunk.com, Tramdock.com, and WhiskeyMilitia.com.

In 2005, Backcountry.com earned the #92 spot on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing, privately held companies. In 2006, it was a finalist in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards, and its principals, John Bresee and Jim Holland, were named “Top 40 Under 40” honorees by Utah Business Magazine. For the past two years, Internet Retailer magazine has recognized Backcountry.com in its “Best of the Web” top 50.

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