Leif Sunde
Head of Product · Metal 1 Skis
Denver Metropolitan Area
In My Own Words
I bring a unique skillset to any leadership that is informed by many years of experience in both commercial construction and the ski industry:
Commercial Construction: Experienced construction industry professional with a track record of success in project coordination and management related to multimillion dollar commercial projects. As a proven business development leader, achieved a 36% increase in overall profitability through fee-strategy planning for projects and spearheaded employee retention efforts with a management-by-objectives (MBO) policy emphasizing safety and individual contributions. Drove a 51% increase in new projects through strategic market assessments and improved department efficiency by 25% with a successful software suite transition.
Ski Industry: Experienced industry leader with a track record of successfully designing and implementing effective marketing, financial, and operational plans and driving revenue growth while ensuring profitability. Proven business operations professional adept at managing general ledger while overseeing multiple projects and delivering unmatched customer service. Thought leader skilled at cultivating marketing knowledge and share by establishing partnerships that increase brand visibility.
Work Experience
Head of Product
Metal 1 Skis2023 – Present
🎿 Passionate leader driving innovation in the ski industry 🚀
As the Head of Product, I am dedicated to shaping the future of skiing by leading a talented team in developing the next generation of ski/snowboard products that enhance the on-snow experience. With a deep passion for the sport and a keen understanding of market trends, I am committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of snowsports worldwide.
President and CEO
Denver Sports Lab, Inc.2014 – Present
As the President and CEO of Denver Sports Lab in Golden, Colorado since September 2012, I have been at the forefront of the company's success, consistently delivering outstanding results.
💼 Strategic Visionary: Successfully designing and executing comprehensive marketing, financial, personnel management, and business operations plans, I have been instrumental in driving revenue growth while consistently meeting profitability targets.
💰 Financial Expertise: As a seasoned financial strategist, I take charge of leading capital budgeting initiatives and ensure accurate internal and external financial reporting. My quarterly comprehensive financial analyses inform strategic decision-making, contributing to the company's sustainable growth.
🏅 Unmatched Operational Excellence: Overseeing up to 15 concurrent projects, I have maintained the highest industry standards while delivering unparalleled customer service. Efficiently managing the general ledger and implementing effective inventory management have been key aspects of my success.
🏭 Streamlined Operations: My leadership extends to shop operations, where I have played a pivotal role in onboarding and training new staff. By establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), I have streamlined operations for greater efficiency.
🎯 Client-Centric Approach: I prioritize a client-focused approach, consistently providing tailored and effective options for all skill levels that exceed expectations. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything I do.
🌐 Expanding Market Reach: Cultivating ongoing market knowledge, I have fostered competitive market development by establishing strategic marketing partnerships with ski teams and clubs. These efforts have significantly increased the business's visibility and outreach.
Consultant
Echo Mountain2012 – Present
🎯 As a dedicated professional in the ski industry, I have been instrumental in driving positive change and elevating the success of the resort through my diverse contributions.
🤝 Empowering Youth and Masters Ski Programs: Through my research and establishment of training partnerships with local youth and masters ski programs, I have expanded accessibility for clubs and unlocked new revenue streams for the resort. This initiative has enriched the skiing experience for enthusiasts of all ages.
⛷️ Enhancing Terrain and Guest Experience: My significant involvement in the slope reconfiguration project has led to improved terrain accessibility for new and first-time skiers and riders. The enhanced guest experience resulting from this project has garnered positive feedback and boosted overall satisfaction.
🚀 Driving Continuous Evolution: Actively engaging in ongoing product development, strategic staff planning, and growth strategy initiatives, I have played a pivotal role in propelling the resort's continuous evolution. My forward-thinking approach has been key to staying ahead in the dynamic ski industry.
Industry Consultant
Various2012 – Present
• Icelantic Skis – Led the comprehensive redesign of products and manufacturing processes, while pioneering the development of innovative demo/sales channels to expand market reach • 4FRNT Skis – Provided expert consultation to optimize product offerings, specifically targeting the new-skier market segment and was instrumental in establishing new demo/sales channels • Crosson Skis – Acted as a key product development consultant, offering valuable insights, and conducting thorough testing to enhance the brand's offerings • Various Other Brands – Developed and implemented demo/sales channels and managed product warehousing, enabling multiple brands to thrive in a competitive ski industry landscape
Business Development Manager
White Construction Group2018 – 2023
During my tenure at White Construction, I demonstrated a remarkable career progression, rising from Preconstruction Coordinator to successful roles as Estimator, Preconstruction Manager, Estimating Manager, and ultimately, Business Development Manager.
📈 A Drive for Profitability: I implemented fee-strategy planning for individual projects, resulting in an outstanding 36% increase in overall profitability. My strong financial acumen allowed me to navigate complex financial landscapes effectively.
🌟 Empowering Employee Success: I spearheaded employee retention efforts by introducing a management-by-objectives (MBO) policy that prioritized safety and recognized individual contributions to company performance. This initiative fostered a motivated and engaged workforce.
📊 Market Optimization: By conducting quarterly and year-end assessments of competition and market performance, I drove a significant 51% increase in the "New Work" metric. This strategy helped identify and capitalize on profitable market segments.
🏗 Streamlined Efficiency: I successfully streamlined department efficiency by approximately 25% through the seamless implementation and transition to a new software suite. My tech-savviness contributed to enhanced productivity and smoother operations.
👥 Adept Leadership and Talent Development: With strong leadership and team-building skills, I effectively managed preconstruction/estimating teams and two cross-functional teams. My emphasis on talent development nurtured a high-performing and cohesive work environment.
Regional Sales Manager
TIVOLI DISTRIBUTING CO LLC2017 – 2018
While with Tivoli Distributing, I oversaw my assigned territory and general growth for Colorado's premier craft beer and liquor distributor. This included managing and training a team of field sales representatives to drive route efficiencies, operational excellence, and improved sales analytics and forecasting.
Financial Analyst
Tendril2015 – 2017
In this role, I was responsible for business case analysis for 10+ budgets on a monthly and special basis and oversaw internal and external financial reporting. This involved tracking against KPI's and technical analysis to measure business performance.
Assistant Manager
Christy Sports2004 – 2012
Advancing within the organization from rental technician to assistant manager, across several locations. I was responsible for delivering and ensuring exceptional customer experience. Specific tasks included: Staff Training and Scheduling, Sales, Inventory Management, Facility Maintenance, and General Ledger Account.
