Darren S. shared this picture with us on Facebook. He took the picture “this week on the Otago Central Rail Trail in New Zealand.” It’s 150km rails-to-trails project between Middlemarch and Clyde.
Archive for the ‘People & Places’ Category
Rails-To-Trails Kiwi-style: KEEN Fan And His Newports Cycling in New Zealand
Friday, February 10th, 2012Did You Hear The Ocean Calling? KEEN Ambassador Bruckner Chase Swims Across Monterrey Bay to Inspire Others
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Just what did KEEN Ambassador Bruckner Chase do? Watch this short video and find out…
Learn more about the KEEN Ambassador program here.
NPR All Things Considered – Shoe Company Practices Insourcing For The Sole
Monday, January 30th, 2012
Tom Fitzgerald (left) and Shawn Dietel (center) look on as Richard Dietel operates a machine at KEEN’s shoe factory in Portland, Ore. The 15,000-square-foot facility houses two production lines.
“The American economy lost more than 5,000 jobs to offshore outsourcing in 2010, and in Tuesday’s State of the Union address President Obama made it clear that he wants them back James Curleigh, CEO of the Portland, Ore.-based footwear company Keen, knows exactly what Obama is talking about. In 2010, Curleigh opened a workboot factory in Portland; today it employs 30 people. Keen still produces most of its shoes in Asia, but Curleigh says starting to manufacture in the U.S. was a big step.”
Click here to listen to the interview on NPR’s All Things Considered.
Making Mini KEEN Shoes – A Recess Break at Our Japanese Office
Saturday, January 28th, 2012Activating Wellness in Every Generation – Health Matters Town Hall Discussion with President Bill Clinton
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Our CEO and President James Curleigh had the opportunity to participate in a townhall meeting with President Bill Clinton on the subject of health and wellness. Dr Nancy Snyderman, Chief Medical Editor, NBC, moderated the townhall discussion with President Bill Clinton, Notah Begay III, health and wellness advocate; Susan Dell, Founder, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; James Curleigh, CEO, KEEN Footwear & Dr David Satcher, Former Surgeon General and Director, Satcher Health Leadership Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine.
KEEN Ambassador Travels to Tanzania to Gives KEEN Boots to Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012Last fall we sent 25 pair of assorted KEEN hiking boots and shoes to the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP). These were sent over with KEEN Ambassador Christian Santelices and 5 people who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Here’s what Christian had to say:
You and the KEEN team have made a big impact here in Tanzania. I delivered the shoes to the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) here in Moshi, Tanzania, at the base of Kilimanjaro. The shoes will be put into the gear borrowing program that they have set up. Porters can come in and borrow equipment and clothing to be able to do their jobs better on the mountain and help them earn a more sustainable living. KPAP also works with local outfitters to provide better working conditions for porters including making sure they are fed and paid appropriately. I met the staff as well as some of the porters. Really great folks working hard to make the lives of people working on the mountain better.
KEEN Ambassador Program:
At KEEN we are always looking for people in every community who are stewards of the outdoors and bring a new perspective to the idea of living a Hybrid.Life. At KEEN we strive to bring you closer to the outdoors by empowering our ambassadors to do the same for us! Learn more here.
Hybrid.Care Spotlight on Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Warriors – Helping Protect Individual Animals to Entire Species
Friday, January 20th, 2012The KEEN team downunder is a proud partner of the Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors. KEEN shoes and lunch bags are sold at the Zoo store to fund the care and protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife. Further support comes from KEEN donations to Zoo employees and event sponsorship, including Steve Irwin Day. The event not only honors the founder of the Zoo but the conservation work he was passionate about.
About Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Warriors
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors was established in 2002, initially by Steve and Terri Irwin, as a way to include and involve other caring people to support the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife – from the individual animal to an entire species.
Check out Playgrounds Re-Imagined Trailer! A Face-Paced Ride to Celebrate The Places We Play
Saturday, January 14th, 2012“‘Nature is the most beautiful thing… There’s a universal energy. We should protect nature, because we are nature. I imagine the world as a playground.’ Bet you didn’t think those words would come from a 9-year-old, Dylan Brophy, who freestyles the narration for my new award-winning film, Playgrounds Re-imagined. From the beauty and rawness of the opening scenes, to the fun-filled journey that unfolds across the United States (by way of a Japanese firetruck that runs on veggie oil, aka “Baby”), you are along for a fast-paced ride to celebrate the places we play, and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting them.” – Seth Warren, Playgrounds Re-Imagined.
KEEN President & CEO James Curleigh Attends Insourcing Forum at Whitehouse
Thursday, January 12th, 2012Our President and CEO, James Curleigh, was given the opportunity to take part in the ‘Insourcing American Jobs’ Forum on January 11th at the Whitehouse. James is pictured in the above photo (top row, right-hand side).
At “Insourcing American Jobs” forum, President Obama talked about his hope for the future:
I don’t want America to be a nation that’s primarily known for financial speculation and racking up debt buying stuff from other nations. I want us to be known for making and selling products all over the world stamped with three proud words: “Made in America.” And we can make that happen.
I don’t want the next generation of manufacturing jobs taking root in countries like China or Germany. I want them taking root in places like Michigan and Ohio and Virginia and North Carolina. And that’s a race that America can win.
You can learn more about KEEN’s efforts in a recent Portland Business Journal article ‘Manufacturing locally takes KEEN to the White House.’
Is Your Kid A Recess Expert? We Want Them For Our Recess Panel!
Monday, January 9th, 2012We’re looking for 6-8 recess experts between the ages of 5-11 to join our Expert Recess Panel. Panelists will help teach the art of play and may be featured in Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine and on the KEEN website.
Here’s what our panelists can expect:
- Panelists will be a mix of boys and girls selected from across the USA
- Panelists need to be between the ages 5-11
- As a panelist your child will be a “teacher,” helping adults re-learn the art of play.
- Panelists will be asked to provide details and a set of instructions (provided via interview) on how to do their favorite recess activity. For example: First, stand up with your hands in front of you. Next, hop on one foot. While you’re doing this, touch your nose… think of an instructor on a workout or instructional video. Make sure and tell what to watch out for, and offer advice on form (how to hold your body, and where your hands and feet go).
- Each of our panelists will be interviewed by Southwest Spirit Magazine, probably more than once. Parents will need to be on the calls as well.
- We’d love if you can submit pictures and/or video of your child doing the activity they are teaching for use in the magazine/website. There is a small chance we may also schedule a photo shoot.
- If your child is selected we will contact you by phone.
- All panelists will need to sign a release form allowing KEEN and Pace Communications Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine to use their images.
- Each panelist will be rewarded with KEEN shoes for them and a parent.
Panel to be announced the week of January 16, 2012. Click here to apply on our Facebook page.

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