Ketchum, ID - Smith Optics is pleased to announce the appointment of Ivan Penchansky to the position of National Sales Manager-Motorsports division effective immediately.

Ivan comes to Smith with a solid resume of experience in the motorsports and action sports industry. He began his career as manager at ZJ Boarding House, a position to which he credits much of his knowledge of the retail world and the ins and outs of running an action sports-based business. “I cannot thank Mikke and TR at ZJ enough for the start they gave me there!” said Penchansky. Most recently, he was regional sales manager for Helmet House, a position he held after serving as national sales manager for Thor Motocross and sales manager for Ironclad Performance Wear.

“I have been a big fan of Smith ever since working at ZJ. Smith used to sponsor my Class 8 race truck back in the day! Now having the opportunity to work with the Smith team is truly a dream job; I could not be more stoked!” said a super-stoked Ivan in reaction to his landing the position at Smith.

Penchansky holds a BA from Loyola Marymount University and has been married to his wife Angela for eleven years, with whom he has two great kids, Abby (seven) and Nate-Dog (two).

“We couldn’t be more excited about Ivan joining the Smith Optics family. Ivan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the action sports and motorsports industries and will surely be a key element in taking the Smith Motorsports Division to a new level,” said motorsports general manager Mark Phares via satellite phone from his lair, a volcano off the coast of California.

ABOUT SMITH: Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, Smith Optics, Inc. was founded in 1965 with the creation of the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. Today, Smith is known for its diverse line of sunglasses, goggles and helmets. Smith’s devotion to excellence, innovation, performance and style has made Smith the choice of action-sport athletes worldwide. Smith products are sold in more than 50 countries through sporting goods and specialty stores. For more information, check out www.smithoptics.com. Performance. Style. Smith. Solid.