Gert Boyle, Columbia Sportswear
Boyle took over Columbia Sportswear in 1970 after her husband passed away. She was soon joined by her son, Tim, to lead the company to become one of today’s most successful outerwear companies in the outdoor industry.
Gary Burrell, Garmin
Burrell co-founded Garmin with Dr. Min Kao in 1989 with the vision of creating products powered by an emerging technology known as the Global Positioning System, or GPS.
Jake Burton Carpenter, Burton Snowboards
Burton Carpenter started Burton Snowboards in Londonderry, NH in 1977 and built it into the largest worldwide snowboard while playing a major role in expanding the sport of snowboarding.
John Carey, Daiwa Golf and Lynx Golf Passes
Carey created Daiwa Golf as president. He was eventually lured over to Lynx Golf Company and was instrumental in growing the company and putting their logo on the map.
Sam Coffey
The All-American ski racer was an independent public relations and marketing rep who had worked with the outdoor industry PR Agencies Backbone Media and rygr.
Jon Epstein, Fila
Epstein was the first CEO and president of Fila from 1998 to 2003. He returned as the North American president in 2007 after Sport Brands International Ltd. sold the company to its Korean licensee, Fila Korea.
Duncan Finigan, Oofos
Finigan had a 16-year career at Reebok, eventually becoming VP of the Performance division. After stints at Atsco Footwear Group, Stride Rite and Dorel Industries, she joined Oofos as its first employee in 2011 and headed brand management and marketing.
Pete Gerber, Gerber Legendary Blades
Gerber and his Father, Joseph, founded Gerber Legendary Blades in 1939 with an initial sale to Abercrombie & Fitch.
Irwin Jacobs, FLW
The Wall Street corporate investor’s purchases of Ranger Boats and the FLW Outdoors professional fishing organization helped invigorate the bass fishing industry.
Darrell Lowrance, Lowrance Electronics
Lowrance Electronics Founder brought early technology to recreational fishing with the invention of the first portable sonar “fish finder”—the Fish-Lo-K-Tor—for the average angler.
Curt Mueller, Mueller Sports Medicine
Mueller founded Mueller Sports Medicine in 1959 and grew the company into a global powerhouse in the sports medicine industry with many inventions, patents, and successful product lines including the iconic Quench Gum.
Blake Nordstrom, Nordstrom
The Co-president of his family’s retail company, Nordstrom held various leadership positions throughout his decades with the company including executive vice president and president of Nordstrom Rack.
Jennifer Ridgeway, Patagonia
Considered the brand aesthetic originator of Patagonia, Ridgeway became the brand’s first director of marketing and advertising in 1981, later to become the founding director of photography for the company and author of the award-winning book “Unexpected: A Retrospective of Patagonia’s Outdoor Photography.”
Dr. Bernice Sandler
Known as the “Godmother of Title IX” for her work, Sandler earned acclaim for her efforts as an advocate for women’s and girls’ rights in education and athletics.
Jerry Turner, American Sporting Goods
Turner, who led Brooks in the ’60s and ’70s, founded American Sporting Goods. He is credited with inventing the stability running shoe category and bringing EVA to running midsoles.
Dennis Van der Meer, Professional Tennis Registry (PTR)
Since the mid-1970s, millions worldwide learned how to teach tennis using the methods developed by Van der Meer.
