Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council

 

About The Council

The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council makes recommendations to the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry, the DNR and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on ways to improve partnerships, collaborative strategies and policies that will increase the outdoor recreation economy, employment and consumer spending, and support conservation and public recreation assets. The council will also identify needs and opportunities for the sustainable growth of outdoor recreation, support and improve talent recruitment and retention, anticipate changing and developing trends in outdoor recreation, and connect recreation to healthy lifestyle benefits, placemaking efforts, public lands, trails, and conservation. Members are appointed by the DNR director.

Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council, Council Members:

  • *Suzanne Miller Allen, Director of Community Responsibility, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan’s largest health insurer
  • Bo Brines, Owner of Little Forks Outfitters, a Midland sporting goods store
  • Cara Zerbel, Director of Brand for Gazelle Sports, a running gear retailer with five Michigan locations
  • Linda Hubbard, President and COO of Carhartt, Inc., a work and outdoor apparel manufacturer
  • Jonathan Jarosz, Executive Director, Heart of the Lakes, a conservation organization representing the state’s land conservancies and affiliate organizations
  • *Chris MacInnes, President and Co-Owner of Crystal Mountain, a ski and golf resort in Benzie County
  • Tracy Mayer, Owner of Backcountry North, a sporting goods retailer with three Michigan locations
  • Gregory Moore, REI Co-op store manager
  • Steve Nadolski, Vice President of commercial accounts, AMROCK, a real estate title company, and part of the Rock Venture family of companies
  • Jeff Poet, President and Co-Owner of Jay’s Sporting Goods
  • Matt Ruiter, General Manager of Velocity USA, a manufacturer of bicycle wheels
  • Patti Smith, VP and Co-Founder of Silver Spray Sports
  • William Smith, CFO of Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
  • JR Burke, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Polaris Industries, manufacturer of ORVs and snowmobiles
  • Elissa Sangalli, President of Northern Initiatives, a community development financial institution

* Denotes Co-chairs

The council also will benefit from two ex-officio members representing state agencies:

  • Kristin Phillips, Deputy Director, Department of Natural Resources
  • Lauren Branneman, Michigan Economic Development Corporation