The Board of Directors for Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced that Frank Hugelmeyer has resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 3, 2014. The OIA Board will identify an interim Executive Director to continue the positive momentum of the organization while a special search committee and a national search firm will partner to identify the right person to lead OIA moving forward.

“We feel fortunate for Frank’s leadership of OIA for so many years through dynamic industry change and evolution,” said Jennifer Mull, OIA Board Chair, on behalf of OIA’s board. “He has been instrumental in the overall growth of our organization, including forging many industry and non-industry relationships and establishing our vital influence in Washington, D.C. Frank’s vision, drive and passion have made an indelible impact on OIA and the industry.”

“With a superior board and a strong and talented team in place, I leave OIA in very capable hands and in a condition that few dreamed possible when it was founded,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, outgoing President and CEO of Outdoor Industry Association, “It has been the adventure of a lifetime and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together.”

To meet the changing needs of our industry, OIA is sharpening its strategic focus to help members keep pace with the world around us. The following focus areas will help keep member businesses growing and thriving:

• Consumer of the Future provides greater understanding of the emerging outdoor consumer and how that consumer will impact our business models;
• Recreation of the Future offers greater understanding of how consumers are defining recreation and increased advocacy efforts for close-to-home recreation infrastructure and access in a more urbanized America;
• Business of the Future focuses on ensuring supply chain resilience, protecting brand reputations, reducing exposure, and improving product quality.

The outdoor industry employs more than 6 million people in the United States of America, contributing more than $640 billion in consumer spending to the economy.

Logo courtesy Outdoor Industry Association