ALITE gang
the basics
We're a design-driven, urban-outdoor company dedicated to the idea that everyone should be playing outside together. Defined by innovation, bold colors and a sense of humor, we thrive on creating products that make it simple and fun to connect with friends and the outdoors.
the campers
tae kim
Education
Purdue University, BS in Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Industrial Design
Stanford University, MFA in Product Design
Background
I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and moved to the Midwest to study design and painting. After working for Ford Motor Company as a car designer, I moved to the Bay Area to attend Stanford University for Product Design. After being the Design Director of Northface and Timbuk2 I decided to launch ALITE and create an outdoor company that focuses on cool, affordable and fun outdoor products that help bring more people together in the outside.
Favorite Movie
The NeverEnding Story
Favorite Sesame Street Character/Muppet
Fozzie The Bear
Hobbies
Barbecuing, deejaying, playing pool, and creating the perfect playlist.
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sam homans
Education
Harvard University, BA in Visual and Environmental Studies
Stanford University, MFA in Product Design
Background
I grew up in Massachusetts, outside Boston. I worked in a variety of areas as a carpenter, commercial sculptor, special effects person, and furniture maker. I was drawn to the Bay Area for its strong art scene and in order to attend the Stanford Product Design Program.
Favorite Movie
Thunderball
Favorite Sesame Street Character/Muppet
Burt
Hobbies
Carpentry, sculpture, and playing a game of kick-ass Guitar Hero.
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nicholaus slone
Education
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, BS in Operations and Production
Background
I grew up in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard and spent my summers working in the family bicycle shop. After college I continued to turn wrenches and direct lost tourists, working hard during the summer and laying low in winter. In 2006, I decided to spend my winter cycling across Central America. At the end of the trip while on Caye Caulker, I damned my nomadic seasonal lifestyle and determined to move to San Francisco. Timbuk2 provided me with my first "real" job and 2 years worth of insight. Then when ALITE sought an Ops guy, I sabered a bottle of bubbly.
Favorite Movie
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
Favorite Sesame Street Character/Muppet
I identify both with Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster: generally grumpy but conciliated with cookies.
Hobbies
Cycling, running, sea kayaking, climbing, backpacking, watching movies, sleeping.
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rob nail
Education
UC Davis, BS in Mechanical and Materials Science Engineering
Stanford University, MS in Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Velocity11 Skool of Hard Knox, Honorary MBA
Background
NorCal all the way! I grew up a poor boy in Sacramento. Then off to school in Davis where I conspired to bring 3D CAD modeling into existence while running a chainsaw to fight forest fires in order to pay for classes. Worked in Davis for a few years on motor design for flying cars, hybrid vehicles and industrial power-plants while learning to climb big mountains. Gave up the motors and went to South America to focus on climbing bigger things. Got wooed back to Stanford to focus on design and business while moonlighting as an engineer at a pharmaceutical company to pay for classes. Spun out Velocity11 with a few friends and focused on robotics and automation for cancer research and drug discovery. Sold out to the man in 2007 and spent 18months integrating the business with Agilent while trying not to let my soul get crushed. Cried when I left all my peeps behind. Now cry with joy when I get to play with the Alite crew in between sessions of surfing!
Favorite Movie
Dead Man or The Matrix or Point Break (depends on the day)
Favorite Sesame Street Character/Muppet
The naked hand beneath the costume
Hobbies
Surfing, dude! (Preferably welcoming the sun from the brisk, pre-dawn Norcal waves); 2-wheeled locomotion; getting my hands dirty; daydreaming.
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christine marcelino
Education
University of Illinois, Champaign, BFA in Industrial Design and Art History
Northumbria, Newcastle England, studied Design for Industry
Background
I grew up in Chicago, went to school in the middle of a cornfield and worked in New York for a bit before deciding to move to San Francisco. I ended up falling in love with the ocean, the mountains and the food. I was a hardcore industrial design geek before I fell in love with interiors and designed housewares for a home furnishings company. Now I design outdoor gear to have an excuse to play outside more.
Favorite Movie
Amelie
Favorite Sesame Street Character/Muppet
Mr. Aloysius Snuffleupagus
Hobbies
Eating, biking and walking around randomly, traveling, Yoga, and starting arts and crafts projects and never finishing them.
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tom newth
Education
University of Utah, BA in Mass Communications
Background
I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was Mormon for a while. After college I moved to California with my wife to explore the world outside of Utah. Although I love going back to visit, I love it here in the Bay Area. Good weather, great food and an endless amount of outdoor activities both traditional and urban. I started in consumer electronics where I first became hooked on great product and the reasons why one thing was better or worse than the next. I was then introduced to the cycling industry where I quickly fell in love with great design and innovative function. What I love about product development in this industry is the lifelong journey to find the perfect balance of form and function.
Favorite Movie
King of California
Favorite Sesame Street Character/Muppet
Cookie Monster
Hobbies
House work, terrorizing my nephew, and thinking about riding my bike (I work too much).