Outdoor Industry Executive Voices

Seve Romero spent his entire career inside one organization. He started at 17 as a retail sales associate at Finish Line and worked his way up to Senior Vice President of HR for Finish Line and JD Sports. That's a long time in one place, and he'll be the first to tell you it never felt that way. The athlete mindset comes up early, and it shapes a lot. He doesn't see himself as an HR le...

Greg Healy spent more than 30 years inside the global surf and action sports industry with Quiksilver and Boardriders, running regions across Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe. Before that, he was the youngest ever captain of an AFL football club in Australia, leading a team onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 100,000 people. We cover a lot of ground here. Greg talks about what tea...

Sara Lawhead has spent her career building things. Teams, products, brands, strategies. She has worked inside large public companies, navigated private equity environments, and managed multiple brands at a pace that left little room to think. Now she is leading Thacker NYC, a founder-led brand going after a consumer the outdoor industry has largely ignored. "We think of life as a sport. No on...

I'm excited to share my conversation with Mike Cachat, a pioneer in our industry and someone I've known for many years. Mike's journey from building a small bike repair business as a teenager to founding Jenson USA is a testament to seeing the future, perseverance, and innovation. This episode is for you if you enjoy learning about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and leadership or seek inspi...

I’m so happy to share this conversation with Nancy Dynan, someone I’ve had the privilege of knowing both professionally and personally. Nancy’s journey from the rowing world to the C-suite is nothing short of inspiring. We talk through her career evolution, the lessons she’s learned, and how she’s built strong, successful teams with LL Bean, prAna and NIXON to name a few. If you’re curious about a...

Today, I sit down with a marketing maven with deep roots in the outdoor, endurance sports, nutrition, and fashion industries. Christian Lepley  takes us through his journey from an ad agency to spearheading innovative campaigns for  Levi Strauss & Co. ,  The North Face, a VF Company , and GU Energy Labs . Listen now to hear us discuss launching buzz-worthy campaigns and professional pizza maki...

Tony O'Neill sits down with Keith Denny, an outdoor and athletic footwear pioneer. With a career spanning decades working at iconic brands such as Keen, Converse, Timberland, and Nike, Keith has grown businesses with integrity and excellence, focusing on people development and innovative product creation. He shares his experiences and insight into the industry, stressing the importance of stro...

Today, I sit down with the remarkable  Troy Michels , an active lifestyle enthusiast and brand leader in the action sports, CPG, and the Outdoor Industry. Troy's passion for outdoor activities has led him to experiences with various pro athletes, renowned brands and properties, including; Shaun White to Tiger Woods,  Aspen Skiing Company /Snowmass, Budweiser,  Burton Snowboards , @Coachella, ...

Join me today as I sit down with Bala Footwear Founder and CEO Brian Lockard, who developed a new footwear category after parting ways with Nike. Brian shares his incredible story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination in this episode. Discover how losing a job drove his mission to transform how healthcare professionals are treated and supported, just like elite athletes. With a p...

Insider Tips from an Outdoor Industry Career Transitioning Coach and Executive Recruiter. Join our host, Tony O’Neill, as he sits down with fellow Outdoor Industry career expert Katie Crafts to discuss how to land the best jobs in the Outdoor Industry. Katie shares valuable insights and actionable tips for job seekers looking to break into exciting and meaningful work. From customizing your resume...

Today, I'm sitting down with Devon Sullivan, a mountain bike engineering savant, to discuss the world of mountain bike product development. We'll explore the differences between products designed for enthusiasts and those tailored for UCI Elite professional mountain bike racers. Notably, Devon isn't just a mountain bike engineer; he's also an accomplished rider. He'll share his...

Join me as I sit down with Chuck Abood, Chief Operating Officer, and industry executive with over 28 years of experience in Run Specialty Retail. From his early days selling health and life insurance to senior citizens, Chuck's journey led him to discover his passion for the sporting goods industry and eventually climb all the way up the ladder at Roadrunner Sports. We dive deep into the fasci...

Tony O’Neill welcomes Alex Adema to discuss his incredible journey navigating the outdoor industry from the Snowsports side as the CEO of DPS Skis. From the challenges of financial sustainability to the resilience shown during the difficulty of a notoriously seasonal snowsports business.   Alex's story is one of adaptability and determination. They discuss the impact of: seasonal manufacturing...