Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, appointed industry veteran John Acosta as its Vice President of Marketing. With more than 20 years of experience in the outdoor and fishing industries, Acosta will oversee Costa’s global marketing efforts creating a consistent brand experience in every channel of its business.   Acosta brings a deep knowledge and connection to the fishing industry, as well as experience in branding, storytelling and grassroots marketing to his position. He joins the team as Costa comes off a year of record growth and looks ahead to the new year with a continued commitment to support its core community of anglers and water enthusiasts, while also growing the brand globally and in the outdoor market. “We’re looking forward to working with John to not only continue expanding our brand globally, but to engage more directly with our core fans – the anglers, adventurers and explorers who live to be on the water,” said Justin Cupps, Senior Vice President at Costa. “Of course we’ve joked about how fitting his last name is (Acosta), but honestly, having John come on board – with his considerable talent, energy and industry reputation – is a huge win for Costa.” Before joining Costa, Acosta served as the Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at Major League Fishing (MLF) where he was responsible for brand building and strategic partnerships to elevate the MLF brand and its platforms. Prior to MLF, Acosta served as the Director of Marketing for Bass Pro Shops for 12 years. In that role, Acosta was responsible for all broad-reach marketing initiatives — media, sports, entertainment, partnerships, sponsorships, brand marketing and content — helping to elevate the national profile of the Bass Pro Shops brand as it became an industry-leading outdoor retailer. John also spent time in various leadership positions at ad agencies in Chicago, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Boston and Springfield. “At first I was bummed to hear Acosta was leaving Major League Fishing. He was a big part of the team,” said Casey Ashley, professional bass fisherman and Costa pro. “I was kind of thinking ‘who stole our guy?’ Then, I heard he was going to be a part of the Costa team and I couldn’t have been happier. I’ve been a part of the Costa team for a long time and it’s a family of hard working people that are passionate about what they do. I think he will fit right in.” “Costa is such an incredible brand. Their commitment to building the best products, topped with their widespread efforts to protect waterways, fisheries and coastal communities, makes it a dream opportunity,” said Acosta. “With interest and participation in fishing growing right now, it’s an exciting time for the industry and brand. I’m honored to jump in amongst such a talented team.”       Employers and recruiters within outdoor recreation industry sectors post job opportunities on Outdoor Occupations to find qualified business professionals passionate about the outdoors.  Outdoor Occupations' job board service is free of charge for job seekers to search and apply for the latest new opportunities in the outdoors! -->Browse NEW Outdoor Industry Jobs Here<-- Outdoor Industry Jobs  |  Fishing Industry Jobs  |  Boating Industry Jobs  |  Hunting Industry Jobs Firearms Industry Jobs  |  Archery Industry Jobs  |  Bicycle Industry Jobs  |  Camping & Hiking Industry Jobs Wildlife Conservation Jobs  |  Paddlesports Industry Jobs

DENVER--VF Corporation today announced that it has appointed Nicole Otto to the position of Global Brand President,  The North Face ® . Otto joins VF following a successful 16-year career at Nike and will succeed Steve Murray, who is retiring and returning to the UK. The leadership transition will be effective June 2022. Otto will report to VF Chairman, President and CEO, Steve Rendle, and serve on VF’s Executive Leadership Team. Otto most recently served as Vice President of Nike Direct North America from 2018 through May 2021. In this role, she oversaw Nike’s digital experiences and full fleet of inline and factory stores throughout the North America region. Otto was responsible for integrating the company’s physical and digital retail ecosystem to deliver online-to-offline services and experiences that forge deep connections with consumers. Under her leadership, Nike launched new flagship and Nike Live experiences in New York City and Los Angeles and began its expansion of owned retail across the U.S. “Nicole is the right leader who brings the right capabilities to  The North Face ®   brand at the right time,” said Rendle. “Her global industry experience and deep understanding of consumer engagement strategies – through both physical retail and digital commerce – make her ideally suited to take the helm of this iconic brand and accelerate growth through even more compelling direct connections with consumers worldwide. Nicole is a proven innovator and future-focused leader who will further strengthen  The North Face ®   brand’s exceptional global executive team. We’re excited to welcome her to the VF family.” With her deep digital experience, Otto was also a key architect of Nike’s digital consumer-facing technology platforms during the past decade. Before joining Nike’s North America team, she held several regional and global leadership roles within the company’s digital business. She served as Vice President & General Manager of Digital Commerce in EMEA, during which time she led the launch of the Nike app and the SNKRS app. She previously served as Vice President & General Manager of Nike.com Global Store, Vice President of Global Digital Commerce Operations, and Vice President of Consumer Digital Tech. Otto began her career at Nike in 2005 after working in Information Technology at Charles Schwab in San Francisco. “Few brands in the world have earned truly iconic status like  The North Face ®  and I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the brand at this time,” said Otto. “I look forward to working closely with  The North Face ®  leadership team in addition to VF leadership to drive the next phase of growth for this beloved global brand and all that it represents.” Otto’s appointment is part of VF’s succession plan in response to Steve Murray’s planned retirement this year. Murray was appointed Global Brand President,  The North Face ® ,  in September 2020. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Group President for VF’s Americas Region and earlier as President of VF’s Action Sports Coalition and Global Brand President of  Vans ® . “We appointed Steve to lead  The North Face ®  brand knowing that his retirement was on the horizon but also recognizing that we could leverage his incredible 30-plus years of industry experience to strengthen the brand’s proposition with consumers,” said Rendle. “During his tenure, Steve further enhanced the brand’s outdoor credentials; turbo charged its apparel, accessories, and equipment product engines; introduced innovative technologies such as FUTURELIGHT TM ; built a successful footwear business; and refined its channel and segmentation strategies, among many other accomplishments. Steve will leave  The North Face ®  brand in an incredibly strong position for Nicole to build on as she advances our direct-to-consumer and digital transformation.” About VF Corporation Founded in 1899, VF Corporation is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish most through a family of iconic outdoor, active and workwear brands including  Vans ® , The North Face ® , Timberland ®  and Dickies ® .  Our purpose is to power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. We connect this purpose with a relentless drive to succeed to create value for all stakeholders and use our company as a force for good. For more information, please visit  vfc.com. About  The North Face ® The North Face ® , a division of VF Outdoor, LLC, was founded in 1966 with the goal of preparing outdoor athletes for the rigors of their next adventure. Today we are the world's leading outdoor brand, creating athlete-tested, expedition-proven products that help people explore and test the limits of human potential. We protect our outdoor playgrounds and minimize our impact on the planet through programs that encourage sustainability.  The North Face ®  products are available at premium and specialty retail sporting goods stores globally and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. For more information, please visit  www.thenorthface.com .           Employers and recruiters within outdoor recreation industry sectors post job opportunities on Outdoor Occupations to find qualified business professionals passionate about the outdoors.  Outdoor Occupations' job board service is free of charge for job seekers to search and apply for the latest new opportunities in the outdoors! -->Browse NEW Outdoor Industry Jobs Here<-- Outdoor Industry Jobs  |  Fishing Industry Jobs  |  Boating Industry Jobs  |  Hunting Industry Jobs Firearms Industry Jobs  |  Archery Industry Jobs  |  Bicycle Industry Jobs  |  Camping & Hiking Industry Jobs Wildlife Conservation Jobs  |  Paddlesports Industry Jobs

For the past few seasons, with words and actions, Major League Fishing (MLF) Senior Director of Operations Bill Taylor had laid the groundwork for his departure from the duties he’s overseen and controlled since 2001. Taylor made it official this week, as MLF announced that the longest-tenured tournament director in the company’s history is stepping away.   Taylor, who was the tournament director for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit (formerly FLW Tour) for more than 19 seasons, officially announced his retirement as of January 1. It marks the end of an incredibly successful reign during which Taylor helped usher in numerous tournament eras, from the first wrapped trucks and boats to the internet age, to expanded live-streamed tournament coverage, and through the acquisition of Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) by MLF in 2019. “I told Kathy Fennel some time ago that I’d know when it’s time – and it has been such a fun ride – but it is time,” said Taylor, who turned 74 in August. “Those 4 a.m. wake-up times are getting pretty tough. I was blessed to have a great job that allowed me to do a little bit of fishing and hunting each year. But being tied up for several weeks each year, away from my family, my phone always ringing – it’s weighed on me quite a bit over the last few months. I’m happy that I am able to retire and I’ll have more time to spend with my family and do a little more fishing and hunting.” A decorated tournament angler in his own right, Taylor fished in the first-ever Operation Bass (precursor to FLW) tournament in 1980. He worked full-time as a UPS driver for 30 years, from 1970 until he retired from the company in the year 2000. He first began working for Operation Bass in 1989, helping out at the Red Man Tournament Trail events as part of the operations staff. When Operation Bass was acquired by Irwin Jacobs and re-branded as FLW in 1996, Taylor was brought along as part of the operations crew and worked the inaugural season of the FLW Tour, using PTO time from UPS to fulfill his tournament duties. After his retirement from UPS, he was promoted to full-time tournament director of the FLW Tour in 2001, a role he held through the 2019 season. In his final two seasons with MLF, Taylor served as Senior Director of Operations, working with all of MLF’s tournament directors to help with planning logistics, venue selection, angler recruitment, on-the-water coverage and anything else that needed to be done to make sure the tournaments were successful. “There are so many people that I want to thank and recognize, and if I tried to mention them all it would take a novel. But I need to thank my family – especially my wife Barbara – for always supporting me 100%, even when it would sometimes take me away for weeks at a time,” Taylor said. “I want to thank Charlie Evans and Kathy Fennel for giving me my first opportunity to work as a full-time tournament director. And I want to thank MLF, for allowing me to stay with the company through the acquisition of FLW and finish my career. I wish everyone at MLF nothing but the best, they will always have my support, and I will continue to be a strong ambassador for the company. “It’s been a great run,” Taylor went on to say. “I got to work front and center with the best fishermen in the world. To be a part of this industry – working alongside the anglers and sponsors, making decisions, creating rules – it has truly been one of the most rewarding times of my life.” “Bill Taylor is the most dedicated person that I have ever met,” stated MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel. “He is incredibly thorough and always prepared. He is not a procrastinator. It’s a quality that our staff has respected, admired and even joked about all of these years – you’re not going to beat Bill Taylor to the ramp in the morning. He was the first person there, every single day, and is the hardest-working person that I know. The man loves fishing – both working and on the other end of it with a rod and a reel in his hand. And that’s what has made him such a great tournament director. He has a huge heart, and he truly cares very much. “More importantly, Bill is an amazing family man. He doesn’t put anything ahead of his family, and he’s the same way with his work family,” Fennel continued. “No matter the situation or task, I knew that if I called on Bill he’d be there to help me figure out a way to get it done. His honesty, integrity and passion has elevated not just our organization but the entire sport of professional bass fishing.” MLF co-founder and longtime tournament competitor Boyd Duckett echoed Fennel’s sentiments. “Bill Taylor is an individual that has as strong of a passion for the sport of bass fishing as any human that I’ve ever met,” Duckett said. “I’ve fished tournaments since 1977, and only a few tournament directors that I have worked with have the character needed to make the really tough decisions, no matter what anyone else thought. Bill Taylor is one of those individuals. Bill always had the answer, and it was always fair and never influenced. “After the acquisition of FLW, I got to work alongside Bill on the business side of the sport and I was really impressed on how focused he was. Any problems or any ideas we had – Bill was 24-7. His lifetime passion for bass fishing is an impressive quality, and we thank him for his time at MLF.” For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing, its tournaments, and sponsors, visit  MajorLeagueFishing.com .           Employers and recruiters within outdoor recreation industry sectors post job opportunities on Outdoor Occupations to find qualified business professionals passionate about the outdoors.  Outdoor Occupations' job board service is free of charge for job seekers to search and apply for the latest new opportunities in the outdoors! -->Browse NEW Outdoor Industry Jobs Here<-- Outdoor Industry Jobs  |  Fishing Industry Jobs  |  Boating Industry Jobs  |  Hunting Industry Jobs Firearms Industry Jobs  |  Archery Industry Jobs  |  Bicycle Industry Jobs  |  Camping & Hiking Industry Jobs Wildlife Conservation Jobs  |  Paddlesports Industry Jobs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – West Marine, Inc. the nation’s leading omni-channel provider of products, services, and expertise for the marine aftermarket, announces the appointment of Cheryl Miller as Chief Financial Officer.  She joins the company’s senior leadership team and reports to Eric Kufel, CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome Cheryl to the West Marine team,” said Eric Kufel, CEO of West Marine. “Cheryl brings a wealth of financial leadership, operational excellence and digital transformation experience that will help us build upon our leadership position. Her proven track record of performance, along with her passion for boating, makes her an ideal addition to the executive team during this exciting period of growth for the company.” Miller is a highly experienced and successful executive with over 25 years of experience in financial and operating leadership in large scale public and private growth companies. Most recently, Miller served as CFO at JM Family Enterprises, Inc, an $18 billion diversified automotive company ranked No. 20 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. As a member of their Executive Management Team, she led all financial operations and directed the development and implementation of JM Family’s long-range planning and strategies for future growth. Prior to JM Family Enterprises, Miller spent 11 years with AutoNation, where following nearly 6 years as Chief Financial Officer, she was named the first female CEO of a publicly traded automotive retailer. Miller was responsible for all strategic, operational, financial, human capital and business-building activities of the company. At AutoNation, Miller drove all-time record quarterly and annual financial performance through a combination of focused operational improvements and continued expansion of brand and digital capabilities. AutoNation is the largest automotive retailer in the U.S. with nearly $21 billion in annual revenue, providing new and pre-owned vehicles and associated services at more than 325 locations in the U.S., including new vehicle franchises representing 32 different new vehicle brands, AutoNation-branded collision centers, AutoNation USA used car stores, automotive auctions and parts. About Founded in 1968,  West Marine  is the leading integrated, omni-channel provider of aftermarket products and services to the boating, fishing, sailing, and watersports markets in the U.S. With 236 physical locations across 38 states and Puerto Rico and two eCommerce platforms reaching consumers and professional customers, West Marine is recognized as the leading resource for cruisers, sailors, anglers, and watersports enthusiasts. West Marine uses its scale, product breadth, and expert field associates to service all the needs of consumers seeking an exceptional on water experience.       Employers and recruiters within outdoor recreation industry sectors post job opportunities on Outdoor Occupations to find qualified business professionals passionate about the outdoors.  Outdoor Occupations' job board service is free of charge for job seekers to search and apply for the latest new opportunities in the outdoors! -->Browse NEW Outdoor Industry Jobs Here<-- Outdoor Industry Jobs  |  Fishing Industry Jobs  |  Boating Industry Jobs  |  Hunting Industry Jobs Firearms Industry Jobs  |  Archery Industry Jobs  |  Bicycle Industry Jobs  |  Camping & Hiking Industry Jobs Wildlife Conservation Jobs  |  Paddlesports Industry Jobs

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) President and CEO Frank Peterson announced he will step down as President and CEO on December 31, 2021, and will retire on February 28, 2022. Peterson’s retirement comes as RBFF continues its mission to increase participation in recreational boating and fishing, thereby helping to conserve and restore aquatic natural resources throughout the U.S. Since joining RBFF as President and CEO in 2007, Peterson has been instrumental in leading the fishing and boating industries toward record engagement levels through innovative recruitment campaigns along with retention and reactivation efforts at the national and state levels. In 2020, an impressive 55 million Americans fished at least once, the highest number recorded since participation tracking began in 2007. Likewise, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)—which represents the North American recreational boat, engine and marine accessory manufacturers—reported more than 310,000 new powerboats were sold in 2020, meeting levels the recreational boating industry had not achieved since before the Great Recession in 2008. Both industries have continued to report strong engagement levels throughout 2021 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain obstacles. “Outdoor activities like fishing and boating enhance the quality of life for tens of millions of Americans like few things can, and that’s why RBFF is so deeply committed to increasing participation in the activities which help conserve our most beloved waterways for future generations to enjoy,” Peterson said. “Working alongside the RBFF team to help guide the record growth of fishing and boating the past 15 years has been the highlight of my career, both as a professional and outdoorsman.” Prior to joining RBFF in 2007, Peterson’s leadership had already produced unprecedented performance for a variety of organizations. He began his career developing and implementing successful corporate strategies for Mobil Oil Corporations’ U.S. marketing and refining segments. He went on to form his own business development services firm, significantly increasing sales for several private sector corporations. Peterson came to RBFF directly from Marketing General, where as Vice President he reorganized and exponentially grew a major revenue-producing services division. Despite his impressive track record, Peterson encourages his industry peers and  successor  to always look forward. “To sustain the Foundation’s success, there must be continued emphasis on understanding the information our audiences demand and the channels they rely upon to receive it,” Peterson said. “The water is open for all, no matter race, ethnicity, gender or age. Our ability to act on the needs of our audiences will serve to sustain the overall growth and health of our fishing and boating industries to levels that we once thought unimaginable.” About The  Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation  (RBFF) is a national, non-profit organization that has been leading the drive for over 20 years – in partnership with industry and government, and through its brands Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar – to increase participation in recreational boating and fishing, thereby helping to conserve and restore our country’s aquatic natural resources.           Employers and recruiters within outdoor recreation industry sectors post job opportunities on Outdoor Occupations to find qualified business professionals passionate about the outdoors.  Outdoor Occupations' job board service is free of charge for job seekers to search and apply for the latest new opportunities in the outdoors! -->Browse NEW Outdoor Industry Jobs Here<-- Outdoor Industry Jobs  |  Fishing Industry Jobs  |  Boating Industry Jobs  |  Hunting Industry Jobs Firearms Industry Jobs  |  Archery Industry Jobs  |  Bicycle Industry Jobs  |  Camping & Hiking Industry Jobs Wildlife Conservation Jobs  |  Paddlesports Industry Jobs

KENNESAW, Ga.– Marc Castillo is the new General Manager of G3® Boats, an independently operated subsidiary of Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit that produces aluminum and pontoon boats, effective immediately. Castillo replaces Terry Ickes, who is retiring from G3 after 21 years. A 25-year marine industry veteran, Castillo previously served as the Director of Development, Operations, Fabrication and Engineering for SAFE® Boats International in Bremerton, Wash., where his responsibilities included research and new product development, oversight of operations and fabrication and leadership development. He also oversaw engineering and continuous improvement for the entire organization. “The experience Marc brings fits perfectly with the culture of G3 Boats; at the same time, his skillset fits perfectly with our plan to grow and modernize G3’s products, processes and brand,” said Dean Burnett, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Boat Business and Marine Service Vice President, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “I look forward to watching his leadership in action as the company continues to deliver exceptional customer experiences on the water.” Prior to joining SAFE® Boats International, Castillo was the Operations Manager and General Manager for Palmer-Johnson™ Yachts in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. He also held management positions with Burger® Boat Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. As well as Marinette Marine Group in Marinette, Wisconsin. Castillo graduated from the University of Michigan® with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He and his family will relocate to G3’s headquarters in Lebanon, Missouri this October. Ickes, who nearly doubled sales and sextupled revenue during his tenure, will stay on through early 2022 to facilitate a smooth transition. About Yamaha Marine  products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine U.S. Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,400 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception.         Employers and recruiters within outdoor recreation industry sectors post job opportunities on Outdoor Occupations to find qualified business professionals passionate about the outdoors.  Outdoor Occupations' job board service is free of charge for job seekers to search and apply for the latest new opportunities in the outdoors! -->Browse NEW Outdoor Industry Jobs Here<-- Outdoor Industry Jobs  |  Fishing Industry Jobs  |  Boating Industry Jobs  |  Hunting Industry Jobs Firearms Industry Jobs  |  Archery Industry Jobs  |  Bicycle Industry Jobs  |  Camping & Hiking Industry Jobs Wildlife Conservation Jobs  |  Paddlesports Industry Jobs