Montana Fly Company establishes new product development role, appoints industry veteran to lead

From Montana Fly Company:

In a strategic move to accelerate growth, efficiency and productivity, Montana Fly Company announces the establishment of a new, focused position based at the company headquarters in Columbia Falls, Montana. The newly-created product developer and quality assurance specialist role has been filled by industry veteran Shawn Brillon.

Brillon is now in charge of seeing MFC’s offerings through from concept and design to the worldwide marketplace. He’ll work with the management team to introduce innovative new flies, tools and accessories as well as potential new product categories. From product line management to forecasting and packaging, the role is dynamic.

MFC president Adam Trina says, ”With a small management team, we’ve always shared product-related projects. We’ve grown to the point of needing a dedicated expert who can focus on product so we can be even more effective in cranking out the quality our customers expect. We’ll still do a lot of design and innovation together, but Shawn will help to to turn those ideas into reality.”

With just shy of two decades of industry experience under his belt, Brillon comes well equipped. Spending more than 18 years at Orvis, with eight of those dedicated to product development, Brillon is no stranger to the process of bringing top-shelf flies and fly fishing goods from infancy to the riverbank. In addition to development, his resume boasts assortment management, retail management, commercial fly tying, fly tying instruction, casting instruction, guiding and more.

“It’s not enough to say that we want to continue pushing innovation across our product lines,” says Montana Fly Company national sales manager Jake Chutz. “We need to continue to walk the walk. With a true pro like Shawn joining the team, we know we’re equipped to bring MFC to the next level in design, quality, delivery and overall customer satisfaction. He and I will be working together daily, and I couldn’t be more excited about where the brand is headed.”

“In my nearly 19 years at Orvis, I worked closely with the MFC team and really dug what they were doing product wise,” says  Brillon. “They always had the cool stuff, the stuff that got you excited to open a catalog or give you a reason to walk into your local fly shop. I’m excited to be part of what’s cool and innovative coming out of the MFC camp. I am thankful for this great opportunity to help propel MFC into a new era. I’ve learned that the key to success is to offer products that are absolutely right, and having them available when customers want them.”

Brillon and his photographer wife, Jaci have relocated from Vermont to Columbia Falls, Montana where they are looking forward to exploring the local rivers and mountains. They have one grown son, Riley, three dogs and a drift boat.

About Montana Fly Company

MFC produces hand-crafted flies, fly tying accessories and other fly fishing equipment.  With an emphasis on personalized service, the team at MFC draws on decades of experience in designing products featuring innovative patterns made from high quality materials.  Located in the heart of Montana’s fly fishing community, products are field tested by top guides for ultimate quality and performance.  For more information, including a complete product list and retail locations, visit www.montanafly.com. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MontanaFlyCo