Massimo Lazzari has been named president of Columbia Sportswear Japan,...

Massimo Lazzari has been named president of Columbia Sportswear Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American parent company. In his new position, which takes effect immediately, Lazzari will be in charge of both wholesale and retail, handling brand positioning, sales and marketing for the Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel and Montrail brands. He will report to Bill Tung, Columbia's vice president for Latin America/Asia-Pacific. Lazzari, 40, has spent his whole career in Japan, running operations in that country for brands such as Ferragamo, Tod's and Miss Sixty. He replaces Toshio Sano, who is retiring at the end of March after more than six years in the position.