MIDDLEBURY — Danforth Pewter of Middlebury has hired Matthew Parker as director of retail, Chief Executive Officer Bram Kleppner announced. The move is part of the metal maker’s overall strategy to achieve growth in new and existing markets and create manufacturing jobs locally.
“We are stoked that Matt Parker is joining the team at Danforth. With Matt’s guidance, our stores can be more fun. We can help more people discover us. We can open more new stores in new areas, and we can be part of more festivals and events around the country,” Kleppner said. “This is all part of our strategy to make more customers happy, sell more products, create more manufacturing jobs and move forward on all fronts: taking care of our team, and the environment, and the community and our shareholders. It’s spherically good, which it to say, it’s good no matter what angle you look at it from.”
Parker joins Danforth from The Orvis Company, where he was general manager of the company’s flagship campus, which included its flagship retail store, the flagship outlet store and the legendary fly rod store. During his time at Orvis, he also led their system of outlet stores, spread out from Maine to Virginia, which mirrors Danforth’s retail footprint.
“Being a part of a Vermont-based brand is extremely important to me, and I am excited to play a significant role in growing the retail division and the company,” Parker said. “We’re about to execute some new and exciting ideas that I know customers will love and connect with.”
Parker holds a bachelor’s degree from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.J. He lives in Rutland with his wife, daughter and black Labrador/chow mix.