BDI has appointed Jim Lahren as vice president of marketing and sales.
Reporting to BDI’s CEO and design director, Bill Becker, Lahren will head up sales and marketing globally.
“Jim brings a perfect mix of innovation, experience and leadership,” said Becker. “Jim has a very relevant background in high-end consumer goods and his brand- and strategy-building talents will be a huge asset for our team as we look to build our brand globally. Jim brings to BDI a stellar track record of brand development and product innovation, with more than 15 years experience in luxury goods and specialty retail.”
Among his notable accomplishments, while serving as the vice president of marketing at Briggs & Riley, he grew the brand to the #1 market share position in the specialty luggage category, expanding distribution to premium department stores, international, and the outdoor retail channel. Working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), he conceived the first ‘checkpoint-friendly’ prototypes and led Briggs & Riley’s launch of the first Travel Sentry-approved, “checkpoint friendly” laptop bags. He has also had senior marketing and business development positions with Lenox Corporation and Crane & Co.
Lahren, a native of Great Neck, NY, was graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and International Relations. In 1989 he received his MBA from the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Management.
