I too was on Staff with Columbia, and thats how I got my termination, e-mail. Along with Rick I too am a free agent, I really enjoyed working with Chad Murphy and the rest of his staff, they always treated me with respect and professionalism.
Being the only Columbia staff guy in the state of Utah ( Storm Country), it wasn't the easiest thing to stock Columbia in our shop where everyone want Storm, but I did a good job of getting Columbia on the lanes.
Good luck Rick: