Outdoor Industry Association Executive Director Resigns

In a letter sent last week to Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) members, Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug announced she would leave her post effective August 19.

Aangeenbrug wrote, “Despite the many challenges we have seen as an industry and nation over the last two and a half years, the outdoor industry remains strong, and our members remain engaged. The outdoor industry’s trade association is traveling in the best direction possible, which gives me confidence as I leave OIA to take some time to recharge outside and then join the National Park Foundation. Protecting and restoring public lands and waters and ensuring an outdoors for all has always been a major focus and motivation in my career.”

She reminded members that “Together, we bolstered OIA’s state and federal advocacy for the outdoors; championed trade and tariff policies that benefit the outdoor industry; represented the outdoor industry at the White House; built partnerships such as the Outdoor Industry Business Certificate programs with universities; enhanced our research capabilities; created and implemented a new community grant program for the Outdoor Foundation; launched and championed the Climate Action Corps; created The Summit, a new industry thought leadership event; and built a new business model that reflects OIA member priorities.”

Aangeenbrug called her time with OIA “truly amazing” and said she looks for the opportunity to work with them in the more “philanthropic role” she will be undertaking.
“The OIA Board is actively searching for an interim executive director with strong industry and management experience, and the search for a permanent executive director will begin shortly,” she added.

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a trade association for the outdoor industry. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org