The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Board of Directors has named industry veteran Kent Ebersole as President of Outdoor Industry Association after serving seven months as the organization’s interim executive director.
Ebersole came to OIA in August of last year with a range of experiences in media, business strategy and nonprofit consulting. Combining decades of experience in the outdoors, with his community-driven outlook, Ebersole’s wisdom of the industry make him well-equipped to lead OIA into the future.
“Every OIA member, staff, board member or donor is a catalyst for knowledge, sustainability, collective action, inclusion and connection,” Ebersole said. “Collectively, the outdoor industry is a force of nature and most importantly a force of change. None of the work we do could happen if it wasn’t for our passionate members and collaborators. I thank them and the OIA board for this opportunity to lead our industry forward.”
The appointment is a strategic move on behalf of OIA as the organization, and its membership look to his guidance, vision and expertise to drive positive change within the outdoor industry. Ebersole will leverage his industry network to identify opportunities for economic growth, deliver programming for clean manufacturing, focus on timely and relevant membership experiences, increase membership value while advocating for pragmatic trade policies and inclusive practices.
“Over the past several months, the OIA Board of Directors had the pleasure of seeing how Kent’s leadership, strategic mindset, personal connection and dedication to collaboration will benefit an industry in change,” said Phyllis Grove, senior VP of marketing for Helen of Troy Home & Outdoor and OIA Board Chair. “We are confident in the map he has drawn for us all and we are ready to work along side him to move the industry forward.”
For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org
