Frank Hugelmeyer, who has brilliantly led and developed the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) for 14 years, announced on Sept. 30 his decision to step down as president and chief executive of the powerful American organization.
Hugelmeyer's resignation became effective on Oct. 3. The association said it would immediately work to identify an interim executive director while looking for his successor through a search committee and a national recruitment firm.
Hugelmeyer said that he was leaving the OIA “in very capable hands” and in very good financial shape. Under his leadership, the OIA's revenues have grown in the past ten years at an average annual rate of 14 percent, rising from about $1 million a year to more than $8 million, with more than $7.5 million in total net assets and a reserve fund of more than $4 million.
Hugelmeyer said that he would be particularly interested in working for a European company to help it to enter the U.S. market (more in The Outdoor Industry Compass).
