Marketing pro tapped as interim Outdoor Industry Association chief

BOULDER — Kent Ebersole, an outdoor industry marketing professional, has stepped in to serve as the Outdoor Industry Association’s interim executive director while the Boulder-based trade group’s board of directors searches for a replacement for previous leader Lise Aangeenbrug.

“Ebersole has deep roots in the outdoor industry, with a wide range of experience in advertising, management, and non-profit consulting,” OIA said in a news release. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, Ebersole is the co-founder of outdoor-focused marketing, direct mail and catalog company Carrick Bend Media. His resume also includes roles with Camber Outdoors, the Outdoor Project and Dirty Girl Mud Run.

“The criteria set by the OIA board executive committee for an interim executive director position focused heavily on leadership, industry connections, sales/development experience, and an understanding of the need to help OIA with its journey to amplify members and grow the outdoor community. Through Kent’s long career in the outdoor industry he has garnered all of these abilities,” OIA board chairwoman Phyllis Grove said in a prepared statement. “Spending the last six years on the Camber board of directors, he comes equipped for his role as interim executive director. Kent has a deep passion for the outdoor industry, and we are confident that under his leadership, OIA’s value to the industry will continue to grow.” 

With Ebersole at the helm, “OIA [will] evaluate its practices and gain perspective on growth for the industry and association,” the release said. 

Aangeenbrug, who led the Outdoor Industry Association for nearly two-and-a-half years, stepped down in early August. 

Formerly the leader of the OIA’s philanthropic arm Outdoor Foundation, Aangeenbrug was tapped for OIA’s top job in 2020.

Prior to joining the Outdoor Foundation, she was the executive vice president for the National Park Foundation, where she is planning to return. It’s unclear what her specific job will be when she rejoins NPF, but Aangeenbrug said in a letter to OIA members that it is a “more philanthropic role in partnership with many in the outdoor industry.”

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