Brand Ambassadors

2015 Brand Ambassadors
We are so proud to announce our 2015 Brand Ambassadors! Our team was completely overwhelmed by the applications we received – nearly 600 applications from 43 states, 4 Canadian provinces and the District of Columbia. We were truly humbled by the reponse and remain so grateful for our amazing fan base. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be the company we are today.

After a week of deliberation, of sorting the applicants into various categories to be sure we had a great mix of ages, gender, geography, interests and more, we narrowed it down to this group of 20 wildly interesting folks. We hope you enjoy getting to know them here and watching them represent us over the next few months. And remember, we hope to add more Ambassadors next year!

Bugsy SailorJustin “Bugsy” Sailor – Since Bugsy is already known as the “unofficial” ambassador of the U.P., it was only fitting that he become an official SK Ambassador. Creator of Plaidurday and Yooper Steez, Bugsy once spent a year traveling to all 50 states, staying with people he met along the way.

Hannah Stonehouse HudsonHannah Stonehouse Hudson – Hannah is a photographer/ writer and active outdoors person based on the beautiful south shore of Lake Superior. Her blaze orange Stormy Kromer cap is her “signature” when she is photographing bird dogs in the fall or ice fishing in the winter for her company, Stonehouse Photo.

Nic DragoNic Drago – Nic grew up in Jackson, Michigan and now finds himself in the Breckenridge, CO area. A former professional snowboarder, he has a growing collection of Stormy Kromer caps that go with him on all his outdoor adventures – from hiking to shooting to riding motorcycles.

Chad KirsebomChad Kirsebom – Chad joins us from Minneapolis where he works as a graphic designer. He loves traveling and sharing his adventures on Instagram. Having first met us at a local pop-up market, Chad is attracted to the Midwestern charm of our brand.

Joe WhitsonJoe Whitson – Joe is a bit of a Renaissance man – Ph.D. student, Eagle Scout, environmentalist, writer, photographer and historian. Another Ambassador who was introduced to SK by his parents, he got his first cap at one of our favorite stores, Duluth Pack.

Terryn DrielingTerryn Drieling – Living in the Nebraska sandhills, Terryn is a wife, mother, photographer and rancher who works hard at bringing up her family and raising wholesome and nutritious beef cattle. Learn more about her adventures on her blog.

Grace StartGrace Start – This Chicagoan turned Michigander has a father-in-law that owns 18 Stormy Kromer caps, and is always wearing one of them. A resident of Grand Rapids, MI, she’s passionate about supporting Michigan brands. While she hasn’t reached her “dad’s” level yet, she’s working on it – with 3 caps, 2 bags and a pair of mittens in her collection.

Eric BartleEric Bartle – An executive chef living in the Portland, OR area, Eric was introduced to Stormy Kromer by his hunting mentor over 20 years ago. When he’s not in the kitchen, you can find him fly fishing, hunting or foraging for wild edibles, a skill he also teaches in Portland.

Grace AndersonGrace Anderson – A member of the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition, Grace is a self-proclaimed explorer of wild places and spaces. Based in Oakland, CA, Grace is dedicated to getting people outdoors and connected with nature.

Tom HandleyTom Handley – Another proud former Michigander, Tom now resides in New York City, where he is a professor at Parsons The New School for Design, as well as the Universidad de Navarra, in Madrid, Spain. A lifelong fashion insider, Tom is also a freelance writer, contributing to several men’s fashion websites, including The Manual. Professor Handley has a passion for Made in the USA products, heritage brands, and mentoring the future fashion generations.

Gabriella KendusGabriella Kendus – We didn’t expect to choose a 15 year old Brand Ambassador, but then we met Gabriella. This Delaware teenager got her first Stormy Kromer cap from a friend when she shot her first woodcock. She has nearly 30,000 followers on Instagram and a fantastic YouTube channel.

Blair TiceBlair Tice – Spending all her summers in Pentwater, MI, Blair was always aware of Stormy Kromer, but was reintroduced when we launched a collaboration with Spacecraft Collective. She’s a passionate outdoors woman in Breckenridge, CO where she enjoys skiing, hiking, skeet shooting, riding dirt bikes and more.

Dan PembleDan Pemble – For the past few years, photos of beautiful Stormy Kromer tattoos kept making their way to us. Finally we learned that Dan was the artist behind these amazing designs. He also regularly hosts guest artists at his studio in Marquette, and gifts them all with their own Stormy Kromer Cap.

Heather KirsebomHeather Kirsebom – Documenting the joys and challenges of newlywed Midwestern life (her husband Chad is also an Ambassador) Heather is the voice behind Honee Bee, a blog filled with musings of marriage, recipes and daily fashions.

Karen UngKaren Ung – Hailing from beautiful Calgary in Alberta, Canada, Karen is an outdoor writer/blogger and author of www.playoutsideguide.com. Known online as “Play Outside Gal” Karen enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing, cycling, fishing, climbing, paddling – just about anything outdoors!

Colin McCoyColin McCoy Colin comes to us from New England. He even makes some of his own leather accessories. We’re excited to have him as an ambassador.

Mike ForesterMike Forester – Like Grace, Mike was introduced to Stormy Kromer through his dad’s love of the caps. As a kid, he wasn’t sure of the allure, but once he moved to the U.P. from Detroit, he got it! He now owns several caps that let him brave the Upper Peninsula weather while fishing, playing pond hockey and snowboarding.

Rebecca PechousRebecca Pechous – During her training to become a union carpenter, she saw a worker wearing a Stormy Kromer cap. “That cap was made to rest on top of the head of a person building America, and if I was ever going to build it, I would need one too.” Well said, Rebecca. Well said.

Dave ZielinskiDave Zielinski – On his application, Dave listed his occupation as: “Engineering Manager by day, flyfisher and Dad all the time.” With priorities like that, and two well-worn Stormy Kromer caps, he’s ready for whatever life throws at him.

Jill EmmerJill Emmer – Founder of the Minneapolis-area Instagrammer community, Minnstameets, Jill organizes events for their 3500+ members. She’s a stay-at-home mom that doesn’t stay at home, and says her Kromer Cap “is as familiar as family.” Indeed, her whole family – from her husband and children to her parents – is outfitted in Kromer gear. Photo by Eric Mueller Photography.

Reader interactions

6 Replies to “Meet our 2015 Brand Ambassadors”

  1. So honored to be included with such a dynamic group of people! Thanks SK!! Looking forward to getting to know all of the Brand Ambassadors!

    Reply

  2. Oh man. Wish I would have known about the ambassador program – I totally would’ve applied. I love my SK! Oh well, there’s always next year:) such neat people!!

    Reply

    1. Stormy Kromer: Kromer Country

      Keep an eye out, we will be adding more Ambassadors early next year!

      Reply

  3. I was born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and have been wearing a Stormy Kromer since about 1983. I now call Montana home and the SK’s are more popular than ever. I proudly have 4 that I wear more often than not. Love my Stormy Kromers.

    Reply

  4. Looks like a very eclectice group of “ambassadors” representing a variety walks of life and lifestyles. I am REALLY REALLY surprised that SK didn’t select at least one or two hard core and passionate hunters, especially upland bird and waterfowl hunters as I know several who applied who had very large social media followers and beautiful posts and photos that showcased their passion for the outdoors that did not make the cut as ambassadors. Both upland and waterfowl hunters are the epitamy of what I think of as to who wears Stormy Kromer. Hopefully SK will add some more ambassadors to represent us outdoorsmen. This really shocked me.

    Reply

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