Zlaket succeeds Robert Parish as head of the Town and Country-based manufacturer of baseball, football and other sporting equipment. Parish is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities, Rawlings said in a statement. Rawlings is a subsidiary of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Jarden Corp.
Zlaket worked at sports equipment manufacturer Easton-Bell Sports Inc. for 20 years, rising to president in 2013. He left the company in May 2014, the same year Easton-Bell sold its Easton-branded baseball and softball business to Bauer Sports and changed its name to BRG Sports.
“Mike has a solid reputation for managing dynamic teams and possesses an in-depth background related to product innovation, investing in new products and product technology supported by innovative marketing programs,” Jarden CEO James Lillie said in a statement. “His strong and credible retail and industry experience with contacts across amateur and professional sports coupled with a wide range of knowledge in team related and field sports makes Mike a great fit for Jarden and our Team Sports business.”
Read more: St. Louis Post-Dispatch