Rob McCourt
Senior Design Manager · KEEN
Lake Oswego, OR
In My Own Words
Work Experience
Senior Design Manager
KEEN2020 – 2023
• Managed in-line and contract designers for footwear and color. • Directed outside trend service for seasonal market color and trend presentations to senior management. • Mentored junior designers and set key standards for footwear tech pack creation. • Designed Keen's largest forecasted seasonal footwear launch in company history (Circadia). Responsible for combined footwear designs forecasted at 500,000 pairs during first year at Keen.
Senior Designer Lead
Columbia Sportswear, Inc.2006 – 2019
• Designed and developed award-winning footwear for Columbia and Montrail, ranging from trail running and hiking to cold weather waterproof boots. • Lead designer responsible for innovation concepts, including the creation of next-generation Drainmaker technology and collaboration with Michelin for an advanced ice traction cold weather boot. • Set Montrail's design direction during a consumer shift from mountaineering to performance trail running.
Senior Footwear Designer
AND 12001 – 2006
• Leading role establishing the AND 1 Portland footwear design studio. • Designed basketball footwear for NBA championship-winning athletes. • Led advanced concept development, including lateral motion stability and alternative cushioning technologies.
Senior Footwear Designer
Nike, Inc.1996 – 2001
• Collaborated with elite athletes to design and develop basketball footwear. • Led Nike's WNBA launch, designing an entire line of signature footwear marketed for WNBA franchise players. • Created Nike's 2nd generation Shox footwear technology for training.
Motorcycle Designer & Design Director / Manager
Kawasaki Motor Corporation1991 – 1992
• Designed motorcycle concept and prototype in an exclusive role. • Collaborated on marketing and design direction. • Created concept sketches, design refinement, and full-color renderings for marketing presentations. • Managed all phases of design prototype construction, including hand-sculpted foam fitted to a modified motorcycle frame. • Presented finished prototype to Kawasaki's senior executive leadership team.