Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announces the opening of an office in Washington, D.C., and the hiring of Todd Keller to manage the office.


OIA’s new D.C. office, located near Union Station within walking distance of Capitol Hill, will give the Colorado-based association a permanent presence in Washington, making its policy efforts more seamless.

Keller will be the new director of recreation policy for OIA and will oversee all aspects of its D.C. office. Keller has years of experience working with members and staff on Capitol Hill, state legislatures, members of the media, and nationally recognized conservation groups. His background includes extensive work with the environmental community, hunting and fishing community, and the healthcare industry.


“The opening of a Washington, D.C., office will enable OIA to ensure our voice is consistently represented as policymakers make decisions that impact the active outdoor recreation industry and our many customers who recreate in their neighborhood parks and on nearby trails and who aspire to visit our nation’s magnificent system of public lands,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. “In addition, we are pleased to have someone with Todd’s experience and political insight join our Government Affairs team.”


In 2008, OIA will concentrate on a number of recreation policy initiatives which include increased investment for the Stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund, supporting efforts to increase funding for the Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System, seeking continued funding for the National Park Service Centennial Challenge budget, and supporting legislation that has will ultimately have the outcome of reconnecting children with nature and encourage youth participation in active outdoor recreation.


“I am thrilled to join the OIA staff,” said Keller. “It is incredibly important that people understand the significance of outdoor recreation, and I am thrilled to be a part of promoting these policy issues.”


Members of the OIA Government Affairs team can be reached at:


Amy Roberts
Director of Government Affairs
303.327.3511
aroberts@outdoorindustry.org


Alex Boian
Director of Trade Policy
303.327.3509
aboian@outdoorindustry.org


Todd Keller
Director of Recreation Policy
202.674.2507
tkeller@outdoorindustry.org