The specialty outdoor retail trade organization Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (GOA) announced the hiring of Gabe Maier as president.

Maier brings prior knowledge of the organization to the job, having worked with the GOA team for six years, including two years as business analyst (2015-17) and four years as vice president (2017-21). Most recently, Maier was the director of business development for BrandKeep (2021-22).

Maier will fill the role left by the departure of former president Rich Hill. Maier will start as president on June 1, just prior to the Grassroots Connect buying show which returns to Knoxville from June 6-9, 2022. 

“The board is so excited to have Gabe back on the team. He has a remarkable combination of attributes that make him the ideal person to take the reins of Grassroots at this moment in time – deep institutional knowledge, current working relationships, and widespread respect as a thoughtful and innovative leader,” said Emily White, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance board member and owner of Roads Rivers and Trails in Milton, Ohio. 

As an organization, Grassroots has doubled their retail membership since 2014, and now includes 104 retailers and 209 doors in 44 states.