Ken Barker

Ken is joint President of The Meriwether Group, Inc. and Meriwether Capital Partners, LLC - firms that specialize in strategic business acceleration and venture funding for dynamic and disruptive brands and companies. Ken has over twenty years of global, branded apparel experience, including merchandising, sourcing, regional P&L responsibility, public market experience and corporate governance. In addition, Ken is currently CEO of Naturally Advanced Technologies, Vancouver, BC – a global leader in the development of alternative and sustainable fibres and apparel.

From October 2003 through April 2005, Ken was the head of apparel for the North American region for Adidas International, where he was responsible for all strategic product and marketing functions within the region. From January 2001 to October 2003, Ken was the director of apparel for Adidas America. Ken also previously led the apparel business for Adidas Canada Limited in Toronto, Canada and was General Merchandise Manager for Levi Strauss & Co Canada prior to that.

Ken was born in South Africa, where a passion for ultra distance running led to his first entrepreneurial venture, and an introduction to performance athletic apparel. Ken is married to Di and they have two children, Jade and Tyler.

David Howitt

David is joint President of The Meriwether Group, Inc. and Meriwether Capital Partners, LLC – firms that specialize in strategic business acceleration and venture funding for dynamic and disruptive brands and companies. Prior to founding The Meriwether Group, David was the Director of Licensing and Business Development for adidas America. While at adidas, David oversaw and grew a $250 million dollar business unit and David and his team grew licensing revenue by over 100 percent during a four year period. David also served for several years as Corporate Counsel for adidas.

David also worked closely with his wife Heather on the founding, growth and the ultimate sale of Oregon Chai. Oregon Chai was a category leader – growing to sales of over $30 million and ultimately selling very successfully to Kerry Foods PLC. Prior to joining adidas, David was an attorney in private practice with the law firm of Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt. David earned a BA from Denison University and a JD from the Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law. Mr. Howitt currently serves on the Board of Directors for several public and private companies as well as several non-for-profits.

David has made several successful investments in early stage companies over the past 5 years. He is a husband to Heather and the father of two beautiful children.