The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Board of Directors ratified its new slate of Directors at Mondays board meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. A total of twelve open seats were filled. Five board members were elected by OIA members and seven seats were appointed by the board.
“Our goal this year was increased representation from the specialty retailer and rep community,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, OIA president. “As we look to the future, we will continue to build on gender diversity and will increase representation from the supplier community to ensure the entire supply chain has a strong voice.”
Dan Templin, CFO, VF Outdoor, will lead the board as the newly elected chair. The officer slate is comprised of: Peter Metcalf, CEO, Black Diamond Equipment, as first vice-chair; Will Manzer, CEO, Eastern Mountain Sport, as second vice-chair; Sam Solomon, president and CEO, The Coleman Company, as treasurer; Gordon Seabury, CEO, Horny Toad, as secretary; Brian Unmacht, executive vice president of sales, service, store development and logistics, Recreational Equipment, Inc., as strategic planning and finance committee chair; Jennifer Mull, CEO, Backwoods, as member and external relations committee chair; and Jay Steere, outdoor performance GMM, Timberland, as foundation committee chair. Mike Wallenfels, president, Mountain Hardwear, will continue to serve on the board and Executive Committee for one year in a past chair role.
Newly-elected board members serving three year, voting terms are Darren Bush, owner, Rutabaga Paddlesports; Kim Walker, founder and president, outdoor DIVAS; Casey Sheahan, CEO, Patagonia; Dan Templin, CFO, VF Outdoor; and Beaver Theodosakis, co-founder, prAna; Norman Cavallaro, president, North Cove Outfitters; Joe Flynn, vice president, sports group, Nielsen Business Media; Bob Holding, co-founder, Waypoint Outdoors; David Kulow, president and CEO, All Terrain; Ed McAlister, owner, River Sports Outfitters; Bobbie Parisi, vice president marketing, Keen Footwear; and Sue Rechner, president, CEO and director, Confluence Watersports will fill seven, non-voting, appointed seats.
In addition to the executive committee, the new board members join current OIA board members Sutton Bacon, CEO, Nantahala Outdoor; Tom Barney, CEO, Osprey Packs; Joe Hyer, supreme commander, The Alpine Experience; Pam Schwarzbach, principal, The Ascential; Steve Shuster, global brand manager, W.L. Gore; Scott Sible, president, Merrell/Patagonia Footwear; Bill Sweasy, chairman & CEO, Red Wing Shoe Company; and Zohar Ziv, COO, Deckers Outdoor Corporation.
The new board members will help guide industry programs that work together to develop new programs and resources that assist members in navigating the challenges of the new business paradigms facing the industry.
Moving off the board are Blair Clark, senior VP of Smith Optics; Brian Cousins, former president, Cloudveil; Paul Fish, president of Mountain Gear; Don Hildebrand, former CFO of Confluence Watersports; Jeff Johnson, GMM of Cabelas; Mark Leopold, former group VP of Johnson Watercraft; and Tony Post, CEO of Vibram.
“The exiting board members represent a tremendous amount of insight, wisdom and experience in the outdoor industry,” remarked Hugelmeyer. “They have been engaged, active board members committed to moving our industry forward and we thank them for their tireless service and inspired leadership.”
The new board, who meets quarterly, looks forward to serving OIA members and the industry as a whole and welcomes feedback on issues facing the industry and ways to best work together to help OIA ensure the success and growth of the outdoor industry. Those interested in serving on the OIA Board of Directors should contact an OIA staff member or current board member. To contact the board, please visit the OIA website.
