The RYZ Team

  • Rob Langstaff

    Founder & CEO

    Über sneakerologist. Can detect a cold cement vs. vulcanized production shoe from a mile away. Apparel & footwear industry pro, former President of Adidas Japan & U.S.

  • Todd Alan Breland

    Creative Director

    Pound-for-pound the most die-hard visual artist west of Manhattan. Winner of RYZ Contest 6, and NYC transplant, Todd relocated to Portland to help ignite the RYZ brand. A prior client list includes artwork and creative consulting for brands such as Coca-Cola, Absolut Vodka, Bloomingdale's, and Urban Outfitters.

  • John Smrekar

    CTO

    Highly aerodynamic web applications expert. Ran the online advertising and traffic monetization division within Dotster.com. Transferred to RYZ so his mother could understand what he did for a living.

  • Glenn Hershey

    VP Operations

    Prefers to sell shoes instead of chocolate….yes, he is related. Former Vice President at the world’s leading supply chain consultancy, Kurt Salmon & Associates.

  • Martin Pidel

    CMO

    Most famous exec. on the team with his own GI Joe action figure, “Hard Drive”. 16 years of global brand building with Executive Marketing and General Management positions.