Johnson Outdoors has appointed Connor Leipold as its new Group Vice President, Diving, placing him at the helm of SCUBAPRO as the global diving brand enters its next phase of leadership.
The appointment was announced by Johnson Outdoors on August 11, 2026, with Leipold taking responsibility for the strategic direction and future growth of the company’s diving business.
Leipold is a certified scuba diver and brings several years of experience within Johnson Outdoors, including previous roles connected directly to SCUBAPRO, as well as positions spanning brand management, innovation and strategic branding.
His appointment represents a significant step in the development of SCUBAPRO’s leadership team, while also providing continuity through someone who already understands both the brand and the wider Johnson Outdoors organization.
From SCUBAPRO Brand Management to Global Leadership
Leipold’s relationship with SCUBAPRO extends beyond his new executive position.
He previously served as Senior Brand Manager for SCUBAPRO, before moving into other leadership roles within Johnson Outdoors. In 2024, he was identified publicly as a Johnson Outdoors spokesperson and SCUBAPRO Brand Manager, discussing the company’s approach to sustainability, innovation and its connection with the outdoor community.
His career within the organization has also included roles in corporate strategic branding, watercraft and innovation. Public professional information indicates that he moved into the Group Vice President, Global SCUBAPRO position in 2026.
That existing experience gives Leipold a particularly close connection to the brand he will now lead.
He is also a certified diver, giving him a personal connection to the sport and community that SCUBAPRO serves.
A New Chapter After Joe Stella
Leipold succeeds Joe Stella, who has served as Group Vice President, Diving, for many years and is now entering planned retirement.
Johnson Outdoors thanked Stella for his dedication, leadership and contributions to the company and SCUBAPRO during his tenure.
Stella’s tenure has made him a long-standing figure within the global diving equipment industry. Johnson Outdoors appointed him to lead its global diving business in 2003, making the transition to Leipold the latest change in a leadership role that has been closely associated with SCUBAPRO for more than two decades.
What Leipold’s Appointment Could Mean for SCUBAPRO
Johnson Outdoors has not announced a specific new strategy or product roadmap alongside the leadership change, so it would be premature to suggest that the appointment signals particular changes to SCUBAPRO’s products or market direction.
However, Leipold’s background does provide some insight into the experience he brings to the position.
His previous work has included brand management, innovation and corporate strategy, while his time as SCUBAPRO Brand Manager gave him direct experience with one of Johnson Outdoors’ most established brands.
He has also been involved in Johnson Outdoors’ environmental and conservation initiatives. In 2024, Leipold spoke about the company’s sustainability efforts and partnerships, including initiatives designed to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to participate in conservation activities.
For SCUBAPRO, the leadership transition therefore comes with a new executive who already has experience across the company’s organization and a direct connection to diving.
SCUBAPRO’s Position in the Johnson Outdoors Portfolio
SCUBAPRO is the diving brand within Johnson Outdoors, which operates across several outdoor recreation categories.
The company describes its portfolio as spanning Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping, with brands including Old Town, Carlisle, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Cannon, SCUBAPRO, Jetboil and Eureka!.
SCUBAPRO has a long history in the diving industry and is known for equipment including regulators, buoyancy compensators, dive computers, masks, fins, exposure protection and other diving equipment.
The brand has also continued to develop its technology portfolio in recent years, including products such as the Galileo 3 dive computer.
With Leipold now responsible for the global diving business, his previous experience with the SCUBAPRO brand could provide a degree of continuity while Johnson Outdoors looks toward the company’s future.
A Leadership Change to Watch
The appointment of a new global head is always significant for a major diving equipment manufacturer, particularly when the incoming executive has already worked closely with the brand.
For SCUBAPRO dealers, dive professionals and consumers, the immediate priorities will likely be watching how Leipold’s leadership develops across product innovation, brand strategy, technology and the company’s relationship with the global diving community.
For now, Johnson Outdoors has positioned the appointment as the next stage in SCUBAPRO’s leadership, with Leipold taking responsibility for the strategic direction and future growth of the diving business.
The coming months should provide a clearer indication of what that next chapter will look like.
The Scuba News will continue to follow developments from SCUBAPRO and Johnson Outdoors.
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