Grassroots Outdoor Alliance announces departure of president Rich Hill

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE (March 15, 2022) – Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, this week announced the departure of president Rich Hill.

Hill gave the news to Grassroots staff in a heartfelt announcement ahead of the group’s annual board of directors retreat earlier this month, stating his plans to step away from his role later this spring after leading the group’s annual strategic planning session and assisting in the search process for his replacement.

“Without question, the last five years have been the most challenging and rewarding in my career,” said Hill. “We’ve accomplished a lot together, though what I am most proud of is that we have successfully moved independent specialty retailers from the foggy edge of what used to be the core of the industry, to a place where they are an integral part of many vendor’s strategies.”

Hill will be working with Grassroots into April, completing the group’s annual strategic plan and helping with the search and transition process for his replacement, which has already started. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit https://www.grassrootsoutdoors.com/presidentsearch.

“We’re incredibly thankful for Rich’s dedication, vision and energy. We were fortunate to bring him into the Grassroots family, we learned a ton together,  and we’re sorry to be saying goodbye. His commitment and leadership have been integral to our success,” said Emily White, vice chair of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.

In his departure letter, Hill specifically praised the Grassroots team – Hope Buttita, Dana Howe, Devaki Murch, Rachel Paar and O’Ryan Lovins – as well as the entire board of directors for their energy and dedication to the organization mission.

“There’s no secret sauce here. The success of Grassroots is and always will be a team effort,” said Hill. “There’s a combination here of legacy knowledge of the specialty retail industry and creative energy that is truly special.”

GRASSROOTS PRESIDENT SEARCH: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is seeking to hire the position of President with a target start date of June 1, 2022. Background, job description and candidate requirements are available at www.grassrootsoutdoors.com/presidentsearch.  Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume to hiring@grassrootsoutdoors.com. Qualified candidates will be invited to complete additional screening and background materials. Review of application materials will begin immediately, and initial interviews will begin in early April, 2022.

ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is the national organization working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. With 101 retailers and 204 doors in 44 states nationwide, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retailers, through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events, and deep vendor partnerships. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.