MATT CAPOZZI

For the past two decades I've lead innovation, product, brand and marketing teams to deliver groundbreaking new experiences in competitive markets. I connect the dots from a good idea, to a factory that can make it, to a campaign that gets your audience excited -- and then on to the operational systems that ensure that you can deliver on your promise. My passion and entrepreneurial spirit shows up in all of my work.

co-founder

north drinkware - Portland + bend, OR - 2014 to presenT

From a napkin sketch, to a explosive Kickstarter campaign to a complete end to end business with patented designs.  What started as a side passion project has grown into an annual business growing at 20% a year creating and selling over 25,000 hand blown glasses per year sold globally. These days I lead design, digital, social, strategy, operations and all executive operations. Our experienced operational setup has enabled North to remain a side project leaving time for other inspiring work.

founder

Team capoz - bend, OR - 2019 to presenT

Team Capoz is where my consulting work lives. I work with brands to evolve their thinking in the product, brand and strategy space. My time is limited but I’m always interested to talk about what’s next.

EXECUTIVE director

Cinco Design - Portland, OR - 2010 to 2020

I lead a studio of over 50 creatives that deliver brand and product design strategy for the worlds leading sport, technology and lifestyle brands such as Smith Optics, EA, Nixon, Nike, Microsoft, Gogoro, Nike, and many others. I began my time at Cinco leading the product design, innovation,  UX and wholistic consumer experiences for a broad range of projects that move brands forward. I'm named on numerous patents for many clients. In addition to supporting seasoned brands I also lead up many entrepreneurial efforts with new brands that start with brand strategy and work through identity, strategy, product and overall brand experience. I oversaw setting the studio direction, marketing, hiring and new business growth in addition to managing the entire leadership team and studio.

Product Marketing Manager - Nike TechLab / Digital Sport

Nike - Beaverton - OR - 2006 to 2010

Bringing Nike from an wrist watch accessory brand to a wearable technology leader. I lead the product line strategy for all Nike+ products, executive strategy for the Digital Sport team and partnerships with Apple and TomTom. My product marketing responsibilities for all Nike+ Technology Products included field testing, consumer research, marketing, communication and global launch. I'm named on numerous patents in the wearable running technology space.

Category Manager - Watches & Visual Merchandising

Nixon - Encinitas CA - 2003 to 2006 

Setting up a growth brand for success. I lead design direction, professional athlete insight, product development and vendor management of hundreds of watches a year. My work resulted in 100% growth over four years and grew a team of 5 direct reports. In addition to watch design and development I also lead design, direction, development and manufacturing of all retail merchandising, trade-show booths and fixturing to bring our product stories to life at retail. Named on numerous patents for product and digital UI designs.

PACKAGING CREATIVE Manager

ELECTRONIC ARTS - REDWOOD CITY, CA - 2003

After over 5 years working for Burton (at both Burton and Gravis) the cold Vermont winters got to us, my wife (girlfriend at the time) and I.  We decided to move someplace we'd never lived before and packed up for San Francisco. My experience at Gravis got me into the role at EA. I worked with a vibrant team leading the packaging artwork for many titles. Ultimately, the company and category wasn't really a fit for me. I got a phone call one day from a Burton Pro Team Rider that told me the team at Nixon was looking for someone to lead product for them. So after only living in SF for a few months we jumped, and moved down to Encinitas, CA.

Creative Manager - Marketing

Gravis Footwear - Burlington VT - 2001 to 2003 

Building a Burton sub brand. I lead the management of all marketing creative: Website, Advertising, Press Kits, Retail, Tradeshow Booths, Fixtures, POP, Athlete Team Support for the Gravis brand. I also successfully launched Gravis e-commerce with over $100,000 in retail sales the first 3 mo.

Product Manager Step-In Bindings

Burton Snowboards - Burlington VT - 1998 to 2001 

I lead the most complex product Burton had ever made at the time. My role was the product management of the Step-In binding launch from conceptualization through final production and quality control with pro-athlete feedback and connection all along the way. In addition to working on bindings I also concepted, developed and patented the Burton Snowdeck working closely with the core Burton athlete team.  

Designer / Seamster

Franklin Climbing - Bend OR - 1997 

After graduating college, I moved to Bend, OR to snowboard Mt. Bachelor. With over 100 days under my belt I reached out to the team at Franklin Climbing to help sew clothing and assist with design of new softgoods. This experience showed me how the passion of your sport could lead to a successful business.  Scott Franklin and his wife Gia have been an inspiration to me since 1997.

Designer / Seamster

Feathered Friends - Seattle WA - 1995

For the summer of my junior year of college I drove my 1979 VW Westfalia Camper from Massachusetts to Seattle set on working for Feathered Friends. I showed up, they had no job openings, so I picked up a broom and started sweeping the floors. I quickly redesigned the organization of their spare parts, and production system. I went on to get hired as a full time cutter and designed the first baffled climbing jacket in the outdoor market. My passion and perseverance here set the tone for the rest of my career.  

Zoar Outdoor - Charlemont MA - 1994 to 1998 (seasonal)

Whitewater Kayak Instructor

During my time in college I worked at a local outdoor store and was a professional white-water kayak instructor at Zoar Outdoor. I lead my students on multi day journeys that took them from sitting in a kayak for the first time to successfully running rivers.  My background in outdoor education combined with my river knowledge made me one of the lead instructors at a very young age.

WILDERNESS WAY - SLATE HILL, NY - 1990 to 1994 (seasonal)

experiential OUTDOOR Instructor

This is where my passion for education and the outdoors was born. I was climbing at The Gunks in New Paltz, NY as a 14 year old setting up my own climbs, leading trad routes and having a blast.  One day I was approached by Bruce Matrisciani, who owned an outdoor education company called Wilderness Way, and he offered me a job, my first one, right there on the spot. Bruce mentored me to become a trustworthy leader and outdoor educator for summer camps all over the NY, NJ region. Every summer I lead hundreds of campers a week through trust and team building exercises on ropes courses and rock climbing trips.  Leading teams and educating other kids, and often adults, as a 14 year old quickly set me up with the confidence that I still leverage today.