The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) appointed John Oehler, from Dunham’s Sports, and Jerry Williams, or Schuylkill Valley Sports, to its board of directors. The announcement is made following the annual Board of Directors meeting during NSGA’s Annual Conference & Summit. Oehler and Williams will serve a three-year term which began June 1, 2016.
“We are pleased to add two members to the NSGA Board who are excited to advance our mission,” said Matt Carlson, NSGA President and CEO. “Williams and Oehler’s knowledge, experience and dedication to NSGA will provide valuable direction as we work to improve the industry.”
John Oehler is the Senior Vice President of Merchandising for Dunham’s Sports, located in Troy, MI. The company began as Dunham’s Bait & Tackle in 1937 and today has a presence in 20 states. The full-line sporting goods store has more than 200 locations selling traditional sporting goods and athletic equipment, and also offers a wide variety of active and casual sports apparel and footwear. Oehler has been with the company for more than eight years. Ken Meehan, Dunham Sport’s President, served on the NSGA Board for six years, two of those as Chairman of the Board. Meehan departs the NSGA Board after serving as Immediate Past Chairman.
“I’m excited and honored to be serving on the NSGA Board of Directors,” said Oehler. “I am looking forward to working with my peers to continue tackling different issues that arise in the industry.”
Jerry Williams, President of Schuylkill Valley Sports, also joins the NSGA Board. Williams joined Schuylkill Valley Sports in 1979, and became President in 1994. The company, founded in 1971, is a brick-and-mortar and online retail business that also has a team dealer component. Randy Ruch, founder of Schuylkill Valley Sports, also served on the NSGA Board and in 2012 was inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
“We have been in business for 45 years, and NSGA has been a tremendous asset to our business,” commented Williams. “I want to continue to give back to the industry the way Randy Ruch has.”
Peter Schneider, President of Athletic Dealers of America, reached the end of his term of service on the NSGA Board. Schneider served on the Board for six years.
“Pete and Ken have been great contributors to the NSGA Board and we cannot thank them enough for their participation and service,” Carlson said. “We look forward to maintaining our productive relationships with ADA and Dunham’s.”
