Markus Hutnak

Louis, Missouri and a B.A. in English from Washington State University.</p><p>With more than 20 years of global product management and development experience, he works internationally at the intersection of technology, textiles, product innovation and branding in the technical outdoor and performance athletic categories.</p><p>His background includes product roles at The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, W.L. Gore Gore-tex and Ralph Lauren among other world-class brands. He also directed licensing responsibilities with The National Geographic Society, working globally with colleagues and partners in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to grow the business to over USD $700 million.</p><p>He brings deep technical expertise with a keen eye for innovation and marketplace aesthetics, ensuring products have functionality while not sacrificing style.</p><p>Recognized as the first in the United States to introduce silver based antimicrobial yarns in a technical base layer, his career consistently delivers award winning innovation - jumpstarting 100’s of millions in product sales and earning recognition from the&nbsp;<em>Wall Street Journal&nbsp;</em>and&nbsp;<em>Backpacker&nbsp;</em>magazine for product innovation.</p><p>A 3X Boston marathon runner and Ironman Florida finisher, Markus founded Two Carbon in 2015, bringing graphene nano-particle technology into performance footwear, coatings and textiles. Now patented, these stronger, lighter, graphene enhanced products are now pivoting into commercial applications.</p><p>An expedition mountaineer, he’s climbed Denali (6,190m) 5 times including a new route on the north face. He’s also ventured into the Himalayas, - twice on Mt. Everest (8,848m), where he filmed a feature length documentary. He’s also summited Cho Oyu (8,210m), the world’s fifth highest mountain.</p><p>His current position is as Country Manager of Livinguard, a Switzerland based biotechnology company delivering complex, biocide free chemistries to remove viral, bacterial, and odor contaminants on textiles and other materials.</p>