REI Taps Ivar Chhina as CFO

Recreational Equipment Inc. (Seattle) has named Ivar Chhina chief financial officer. Chhina, 46, has been a member of the retail co-op’s board of directors since March 2006. He is resigning that board position to take on his new role.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with a person so deeply committed to REI’s purpose,” said Sally Jewell, REI’s president and ceo. “I am fully confident Ivar will complement our team by bringing strong skills in finance and technology, together with vision and commitment, to guide our co-op toward a bright future.”

REI says Chhina brings years of executive, finance and technology experience to the business. He is currently a project-based partner with a San Francisco Bay Area private equity firm, and is also currently serving as a board member and interim CEO of a Texas-based health care organization. Previously, Chhina was chairman and CEO of a retail dental practice management franchise with 130 retail locations in eight western states.