Dorel Industries has appointed one of its independent directors, Robert P. Baird Jr., to be the new president of its recreational/leisure division, which includes its growing stable of bicycle brands comprising Cannondale, GT and Schwinn. Baird comes from Philips Electronics, where he oversaw the combination of its consumer electronics and domestic appliance businesses into the «consumer lifestyle sector.» He previously worked at Samsonite, Scott Paper, Bristol Myers and Procter & Gamble. Meanwhile Cannondale has extended its sponsorship of the Italian Liquigas bike racing team by two years.