Patagonia has promoted Doug Freeman to the position of chief operating offer, effective immediately, to replace Rose Macario, who now leads Patagonia Works, the new holding company set up by Yvon Chouinard for sustainable development in other sectors (see our previous issue). Freeman will report to Casey Sheahan, chief executive of Patagonia. He has served as Patagonia's vice president of production for the last six years. Previously, he also acted as Patagonia's sourcing manager for Asia. Prior to Patagonia, he held director-level positions at Polo Ralph Lauren, The North Face and Sport Obermeyer. As the new chief operating officer of Patagonia, he is expected to provide strategic vision, leadership and operational expertise, both domestically and abroad, in the areas of advanced product research & development, materials research & development, quality, product development, production & sourcing, social & environmental responsibility, and operations' customs & trade. He will also be responsible for the Reno distribution center. Freeman graduated in English from the University of California, Berkeley in 1984. He enjoys back-country skiing and fly-fishing in his hometown of Basalt, Colorado.

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