BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — The Outdoor Industry Association has hired Amy Roberts as its new executive director.
Roberts currently works for Canada's Mountain Equipment Co-op, where she is director of sustainability and a member of the executive leadership team. She also serves on the boards of The Conservation Alliance, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.
Frank Hugelmeyer resigned as president and CEO of OIA last fall. Since Hugelmeyer's departure in October, Steve Barker has served as interim executive director.
Roberts has previously worked for OIA. Prior to joining MEC, she served as the organization's vice president of government affairs, managing the outdoor industry's lobbying efforts focused on trade and recreation. During her time at OIA, she also facilitated the development of the outdoor industry's Eco Index to measure the environmental footprint of products.
"Amy's specialty retail and manufacturing background at MEC; deep knowledge of outdoor industry government affairs and corporate responsibility issues; and her overall authentic, collaborative approach to business make her the ideal person for this role," said Jen Mull, OIA's board chair and CEO of Backwoods. "We are so excited about the good work that OIA will continue to accomplish on behalf of the outdoor industry with Amy leading the team."
Roberts said, "I feel very lucky to work in an industry that provides true benefit to the world by producing and selling amazing outdoor products and experiences that support healthy families and create active communities," said Amy Roberts, incoming OIA executive director. "OIA's role as a trade association is to be a place of collaboration, where we bring together all the industry voices to amplify our impact beyond each individual company's independent voice. I look forward to working with all our members to collectively achieve success and help the industry to grow."
Roberts will start her new position in late July before the Outdoor Retailer summer show. Barker will stay on for a few months during the transition.
OIA will also adjust its board structure, reducing the size of its board from 25 members to 15. The OIA said it will reach its new size through a mixture of term limits, members stepping down and new additions as a result of the current election. OIA will kick off board elections later this month.
