Muskegon, MI – Children and teenagers emerging into adulthood frequently experience growing pains. When applied in the business world, however, the euphemistic term is often used to soften the negative consequences of poor or shortsighted decisions undertaken during critical periods of corporate growth.
With that said, the people behind ScentLok Technologies have never taken shortcuts in over 25 years of doing business… Ever. From the moment Greg Sesselmann revealed the solution for keeping a deer hunter’s odor from wafting through the woods, and through the subsequent development of a multitude of new technologies and products, the team at ScentLok has always insisted on doing things the right way. Their commitment to the hunting industry as a whole – as well as to producing only the finest-quality products to support the Complete Odor Management needs of individual hunters – is why the company keeps investing and growing.
Organizing for Success
Upon ScentLok’s acquisition of all assets of Robinson Outdoors last July, the company immediately announced their commitment to maintaining the authenticity of the Robinson brands and products, including ScentBlocker, ScentShield, Tree Spider and Whitewater Outdoors. ScentLok Technologies
Owner and CEO, Patrick Hylant, had this to say to ScentBlocker customers at the time:
Our respective brand values have always been aligned. Both ScentLok and ScentBlocker have been built upon common principles that include a strong reverence for family, God and the glory of wild places. We are driven by the moment of truth and a great respect for the creatures we pursue. Today, our merger only fortifies these common values. We understand that ScentBlocker is your brand. We wish to assure you that the ScentBlocker brand – including its technologies and the quality it is known for – will be maintained. That authenticity will carry on as it always has.
Four months later, this pledge to the hunting community is further reinforced with the creation of a new corporate entity to unify the best scent-controlling brands and products available: Nexus Outdoors.
Leslie Rakestraw
Nexus Outdoors represents a formal unification of the expanded ScentLok brands. It is intended to consolidate operations for long-term efficiencies, while allowing the company to continue to do what it has always done since day one: offer hunters the best technologies in the best products at the best price.
“Although not forward facing to the consumer, Nexus Outdoors provides a framework for the individual brands and products that support our mission of Complete Odor Management,” says Hylant. “In light of this news, we wish to reinforce our pledge of transparency to our customers: It will always be their voice that creates our products, not our boardroom – regardless of what the company is called. Every tree stand is different and every situation is unique, so we ask that all hunters continue to share their experiences with our brands and products with us. Nothing will get hunters closer to game than all of us working together. I’ve said it before: We don’t need to be the biggest, but we will always strive to be the best.”
Investing in People
Immediate evidence of Nexus Outdoors’ continued responsible growth is clear in three recent hires at the company’s Muskegon, Michigan headquarters.
Dale Douglas joins Nexus Outdoors as Senior Vice President of Product Development. In this role, Dale will lead sourcing, technology and product strategies for all brands. Born and raised in Nebraska, Douglas brings over 24 years of experience as director, merchandise manager, product and category manager, and senior manager of global sourcing of hunting apparel for Cabela’s. Married and raising his son, Trev, and daughter, Makenna, Douglas still finds time to add to his 35 years of hunting experience, with his core passions being whitetail archery, waterfowl, upland and predator hunting.
Taking on the position of National Sales Manager is Kevin Strong. Strong brings 10 years of hunting industry experience, including a multi-faceted retail background with sporting goods store ownership and additional corporate merchandising experience gained at Bass Pro Shops. Most recently, Strong served as a key account manufacturer’s rep covering the upper Midwest in the archery and shooting sports markets. In his new position, Strong will be responsible for all revenue generation for the recently acquired Blocker Outdoors brand portfolio across all channels and markets. Strong will work closely with Vice President of Sales, Norm Langlois, and other members of the Nexus Outdoors leadership team to drive growth for the company’s trusted brands. Strong is a passionate bow hunter who also enjoys fishing, camping, golfing and spending time with his wife, Devon, and daughter, Madelynn.
Kevin Strong
Leslie Rakestraw joins the Nexus Outdoors team as Senior Production Planning Manager. With more than 10 years in procurement, Rakestraw’s specialized knowledge, skills and experience make her a valuable addition to the team. Joining the team will be a smooth transition, as Rakestraw previously worked at ScentLok for 16 years in various roles, including customer service, logistics and purchasing. Most recently, Rakestraw was Site Buyer for Knoll, managing a wide variety of commodities and vendors. Her experience in sourcing, negotiation and supplier relationships will ensure Nexus Outdoors continues to bring the very best products to market.
“A lot of folks don’t realize how efficient our team is,” says Hylant, who believes strongly that it is its people who contribute most to the success of any small business. “We couldn’t have accomplished what we have on behalf of hunters over the past 25 years without a team comprised of uniquely qualified individuals. We have the highest confidence in Dale, Kevin and Leslie, and look forward to leveraging their distinct strengths and abilities for the benefit of our customers.”
