Will Gay, CEO

Will serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Brand.  In this capacity, Will has managerial oversight of the company's retail operations which include Diamond Brand Outdoors, a high-end outdoor outfitter for individuals, camps, universities, and outdoor programs, nationwide, and Frugal Backpacker, the company's outdoor outlet concept.  Will also provides managerial oversight to Diamond Brand's manufacturing operation and administers the company's manufacturing contracts with the US Government.  Prior to joining the company in 2000, Will spent 12 years with St. Jude Medical in the medical devices industry.  Outside of the business, Will serves as a director or officer on several local community organizations’ boards and actively participates in several professional associations.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University in 1988.  Will enjoys fishing and fly fishing, golf, skiing and spending time with his family.

John Delaloye, CFO

At Diamond Brand, John serves as Chief Financial Officer and one of two senior managers that provides overall strategic direction to the company.  John moved to Asheville, North Carolina and joined Diamond Brand in 2005. Before moving to Asheville, John lived in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was the Chief Financial Officer of Edgeview Partners, an investment-banking firm. Prior to joining Edgeview, he co-founded a real estate brokerage firm (My Townhome), partnered in a private equity group (Core Point Partners), financed the development of condominiums and townhomes (The Boulevard Company), and traded currency options and derivatives (First Union National Bank).  Prior to moving to Charlotte in 1994, John lived in Chicago, Illinois where he met his wife, Susie. They have two children, John III and Joseph. John earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in 1989 and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of Chicago in 1992. John was born in St. Louis, Missouri (he is still a St. Louis Cardinals fan) and enjoys playing golf and skiing.

Sarah Merrell, Marketing Manager

Sarah Merrell serves as Marketing Manager for Diamond Brand and manages all marketing activities using experience, creativity, planning and leadership to achieve strategic goals and develop tactics for Diamond Brand Outdoors, Frugal Backpacker and the company's manufacturing division.  Sarah joined the Diamond Brand team in 2007 after graduating from Western Carolina University with a Masters degree in Business Administration.  She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which she earned in 2005.  Sarah’s prior experience includes a Market Research internship with the Biltmore Company in Asheville.  Sarah grew up in Asheville and was married in 2008.  She is a competitive runner and is one of the leaders for Diamond Brand’s Community Running Group.  She also enjoys working out, horseback riding, skiing, golf and riding her motorcycle.

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