From OIA:
Boulder, Colo., Jan. 23, 2013 – Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) presented its annual OIA Advocacy Leadership Awards to Rafferty Jackson of VF Outdoor, Inc., and Travis Campbell of Far Bank Enterprises, during the OIA Thought Leader Dinner yesterday, on the eve of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Now in its third year, the OIA Advocacy Leadership Awards recognize individual OIA members who have significantly contributed to the advancement of the OIA policy agenda and the outdoor industry’s stature in the public policy arena.
“Travis and Rafferty are both tireless advocates for the outdoor industry,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of OIA. “Their leadership has helped amplify our voice in Washington, D.C., and inspired others to get involved in policy efforts that are critical to the long-term health of our industry.”
Jackson is vice president and general counsel for VF Outdoor, Inc., one of the largest outdoor industry companies, with global supply chains. She understands the importance of favorable trade policies for both importers and domestic manufacturers. As chair of the OIA Trade Advisory Council, she leads industry efforts to create a stable and predictable trade environment for outdoor industry businesses, lower costs for outdoor businesses and their customers, and reflect the industry values of social and environmental responsibility.
Jackson has cultivated strong relationships with policymakers in Washington, D.C., through her frequent visits to Capitol Hill and regular communications with Congressional leaders. She consistently participates in OIA’s Capitol Summit and contributes to OIAPAC, the outdoor industry’s political action committee—two initiatives that are a critical part of OIA’s strategic policy efforts.
“The Outdoor Industry Association is a collection of world class brands, innovators, business visionaries and passionate people dedicated to responsible global engagement,” said Rafferty. “It is easy to advocate for our industry’s trade agenda when it is committed not only to delivering the best products to our consumers to enable them to get outdoors, but also to creating American and global jobs.”
Campbell serves on the OIA board of directors and is a proven industry leader. As president and CEO of Far Bank Enterprises, he represents three of the leading fly fishing brands—Sage, Redington and RIO—and recognizes the need to promote participation and protect access to public lands. He is well versed in advocacy, having served on the board of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association for seven years, chairing their trade development committee and acting as secretary for the executive committee.
Campbell frequently meets with Congressional leaders and members of the administration to promote favorable trade policies. He is also vocal in his support for recreation policies, signing letters to promote funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Recreational Trails Program and other important initiatives. In addition, he penned an op-ed in favor of the LWCF, and participated in a video to highlight the importance of protecting Bristol Bay. Campbell has also been very involved in promoting President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative.
“I don’t consider the advocacy work I do as fundamentally different than many of my other corporate responsibilities,” said Campbell. “We are a natural resource dependent business, so making sure our employees and customers have access to quality outdoor experiences, healthy fisheries, and innovative products that can be purchased at a fair price are all part of ensuring our long-term business success.”
OIA presented the awards during its annual Thought Leader Dinner, which focused on how the outdoor industry can help shape the future of America’s public lands.
About the Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information, go to outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.
