Mel Chrestman, Jr. resides in Alexandria, VA. His extensive outdoor experience includes independents, regional chains, and military provisional businesses.
Originally from Oxford, Mississippi, Mel has been an active participant, representative and consultant in the outdoor industry since 1994. Joining Mike Miller & Associates in 1996, he represented top-tier brands such as Cascade Designs, MSR, Salomon and Osprey, before establishing his own sales agency and working with The North Face, Lowe Alpine, and Asolo, just to name a few. Adjacent to his wholesale-trade business, Mel has also maintained a working relationship with outdoor industry retailer fixture Casual Adventure in Arlington, VA. Through this duality of purpose, Mel’s perspective and knowledge of market dynamics in the outdoor space is second to none and provides our retailers with unbiased, open, and intelligent insight and consultation which increases their bottom line as well as their knowledge base.
Mel’s attention to detail, professionalism, fluency in economics and constant advocacy for retailers striving to become better business partners complement his market knowledge and focus on results. Mel currently represents Patagonia Footwear, SOLE Footbeds & Footwear, Asolo, Lowe Alpine and Cocoon/DesignSalt Intl. Mel spends family time on the high alpine ridges of north-central Colorado and is an avid ‘peak-collector’, having bagged nearly half of the U.S.’s high points.
