QUIKSILVER APPOINTS REESE FORBES AS HEAD OF SKATE

I don't ordinarily just post the stragiht press release but I love to see a D.C. guy do well. Hell, I love to see anybody who skates succeed. Congrats Reese, it's good to know a program with potential like Quiksilvers is in good hands. During ASR I ran into Reese briefly at the W hotel in San Diego and needless to say he's on it. Hopefully, we can hook up an interview soon.


Press Release ---

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Reese Forbes as head of the Quiksilver Skate Program. Since his 1995 pro debut, his athleticism, speed, and jaw-dropping Ollie have established Reese as one of the most powerful street skaters in the sport. His reputation as one of the industry’s top players, however, goes beyond his skills on the skateboard.

From designing three signature dunks for Nike and best-selling jeans for Quiksilver, to helping build three top skateboard companies (including his latest venture, Skate Mental), Reese has emerged as a true style-setter. Reese grew up skating the streets around his hometown of Gaithersburg, Maryland. By age 11, he had his first sponsorship from a local skate shop, and at 18 he was signed by Element.

Reese toured the world, traveling throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. He was also honing the big gun: his signature Ollie. For Reese that pop is more of a launch, sailing him to heights over 44 inches. He is so identified with the move that in 1999 a tournament was named in his honor, The Reese Forbes Ollie Challenge. That same year landed him on the cover of Thrasher and in the Element World Tour video. In 2001, Reese signed with Quiksilver. He collaborated on the design of the first Reese Forbes jean with Jason Bleick. The jeans became the most successful in Quiksilver’s history and Reese went on to design three more signature editions over the next five years. A fourth is in the works. Reese is also currently assisting in the development of clothing for QuiksilverEdition. Assisting Reese in the day-to-day management of the program is Jamey Beeson. Jamey started at Quiksilver in the marketing department in September of 2003. He worked as the assistant team manger along side Mark Oblow for the past three years building relationships with the riders, skate media and skate photographers. Prior to that he worked at Surfside Sports in Newport Beach renting body boards at the age of 11 eventually working his way up to a managerial level. Jamey worked at Surfside Sports for 12 years before moving on to Quiksilver! He attended Newport Harbor High School and Orange Coast College. Along with his skate program duties, Jamey will continue with his U.S. Western Regional Marketing duties helping retailers and sales representatives with their marketing needs. For more information check out http://www.quiksilver.com/