Rich Harper
From OIA:
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) has hired Rich Harper as trade policy advisor. In this role, Harper will promote OIA’s trade and business policy goals, focusing on tariff reform, the U.S. OUTDOOR Act and international trade agreements. Harper will work from OIA’s Washington, D.C., offices, which the organization established in 2012 to advance the outdoor industry’s recreation, trade and business policy agendas on Capitol Hill. He will play a key role in policy development and analysis, political engagement and grassroots organizing.
Harper comes to OIA from the office of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), where he was the legislative assistant for trade, foreign policy and defense, advising the senator on all policy and legislative matters. Harper began his career as a legislative correspondent with Sen. Feinstein in 1998.
“We’re thrilled to have Rich on board,” said Kirk Bailey, OIA’s vice president for government affairs. “With his 15 years on Capitol Hill, he is well-suited to help the outdoor industry engage Congress and the administration to secure its trade and business policy objectives.”
“The outdoor industry reaches all corners of the world and helps promote jobs and economic growth in the U.S.,” said Harper. “The ability of OIA members to compete in the global economy and secure new markets at home and abroad is critical to the industry’s continued success. I’m excited to help OIA pursue its balanced trade agenda and ensure that U.S. trade policy reflects these goals.”
A native of San Francisco, Calif., Harper received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Penn., and his master’s degree in international relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Bologna, Italy ,and Washington, D.C. An Eagle Scout, he enjoys hiking, skiing, exploring every corner of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the thrill of daytime baseball. Harper began on June 12. He can be reached at [email protected].
About 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.
