Cotopaxi and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance both announced the appointment of new presidents this week. At Cotopaxi, Damian Huang, the former CEO of Eddie Bauer (EB), will ascend to the post. At Grassroots, it’s Gabe Maier, formerly the organization’s VP, who will take on the role.

Both Huang and Maier have significant experience in the outdoor space. Before Huang’s time as chief executive of EB, he spent several years at Patagonia as VP of design and merchandising and nearly a decade at The North Face in product-focused roles.

According to a release from Cotopaxi, Huang’s accomplishments at EB included honing the company’s focus on accessibility in the outdoors, establishing a sustainability roadmap, and helping the brand win more than 50 industry awards. Perhaps most significantly, he was instrumental in “guiding [EB’s] transition from a catalog retailer to a digitally-driven business with deep omni-channel integration.”

The appointment鈥攁 newly created position at Cotopaxi鈥攚as made possible by $45 million in funding from Bain Capital Double Impact, which the company secured in September 2021. Part of that investment is being used to expand the executive team as the brand continues to grow at an impressive clip, having nearly doubled revenue every year since 2014. The company’s founder, Davis Smith, will remain CEO.

鈥淭o say I鈥檓 excited to join Cotopaxi would be an understatement,” said Huang. 鈥淓very once in a while a company comes along that is not only new and different, but has an energy, a soul, and a purpose that makes an organization remarkable. I鈥檓 deeply inspired by what Davis and the team have built, impressed by the leaders at Bain Capital Double Impact, and honored to help push the company forward.”

Said Smith, 鈥淲e are elated to name Damien to our team. He鈥檚 an incredibly talented individual with an authentic passion for our mission to fight extreme poverty. His position as President is integral to the next stage of growth for Cotopaxi.”

Huang will work out of Seattle, the company said, making frequent trips to the brand’s headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

At Grassroots, Maier brings more than half a decade of direct experience to the role, having worked with the group for two years as business analyst and four more as vice president. Since 2021, he’s served as the director of business development for BrandKeep, a SAAS company focused on helping independent retailers organize digital assets.

“It鈥檚 heartening to see that retailers are having a bit of a moment right now, as both brands and investors are recognizing the enduring importance of specialty retail as commerce continues to evolve,” said Maier. “I鈥檓 very excited to be coming back at this moment, and to have the opportunity to be a steward for independent specialty and all of the amazing individuals that form this community.”

Maier will replace former president Rich Hill, who ran the group from 2016 to 2022 and in March.

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Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the outdoor industry’s largest consortium of independent retailers, announced this week that president Rich Hill will step down next month. No successor has been named.

Hill, who joined the retailer buying group in 2016, broadcast the decision to internal staff earlier this month, ahead of the group鈥檚 annual board retreat. This week, the news was communicated to Grassroots retail members in an email from Hill, in which聽Hill expressed his gratitude to the organization, saying there is “no specific reason, no other offer, no burning desire to go do something else” influencing his departure. It’s simply “the right time for me to move on and for a new leader to step up and steer the Grassroots strategic vision,” he wrote.

Hill will remain with Grassroots into April to oversee the group’s annual strategic planning session. He will officially depart on April 15.

Hill鈥檚 Legacy at Grassroots

In the five years since Hill stepped in to lead Grassroots, the group has undergone marked change, doubling its retail membership, successfully navigating a pandemic, and modernizing its website and data-collection systems. What Hill said he feels most proud of, though, has been “elevating independent specialty retailers with better programs, events, and advocacy that benefit our stores, vendor partners, and ultimately our local communities.”

“There鈥檚 no secret sauce here,” Hill added. “The success of Grassroots is and always will be a team effort. Between the team and the membership, there鈥檚 a combination of legacy knowledge, remarkable resilience, and creative energy that is truly special.”

Following the announcement, industry members, Grassroots retailers, and Hill’s own staff are expressing deep gratitude for his work over the years.

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

Brendan Madigan, owner of Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, California, responded to Hill’s announcement with a simple but impactful message: “You’re a hero, Rich. You’ll be missed, and we’re grateful for all you’ve added.”

Others, including Scott Brown, owner of The Base Camp in Billings, Montana, praised Hill for his leadership and skill in building community. “You鈥檙e a great collaborator and used your skills to bring GOA members and our vendors together on issues,” Brown wrote. “You are leaving us stronger than ever.”

Grassroots has begun its search for a new president, with Hill’s assistance.

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