Outdoor Industry Executive Voices

About Outdoor Industry Executive Voices

Over the past two decades, I've been privileged to build relationships and strategize with some of the most distinguished thought leaders in the Outdoor Industry and Sporting Goods brands. We dive deep into the backstories of these industry titans, as well as personal and professional development. Hosted by Tony O'Neill, Founder and President of Highline Outdoor Group, a purpose-driven executive search firm specializing in placing high-impact leaders in the outdoor industry and sporting goods companies and brands. Learn more at: https://highlineoutdoor.com

Publisher

Highline Outdoor Group | Tony O'Neill

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Sept 2023

Latest episode

11 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Aug 2026

   The Weight of Leadership, with Bruno Maier

   Bruno Maier has spent 35 years in the bike industry, and by the time we sat down together, he'd lived through more chapters than most executives see in a career twice as long. He's president and CEO of United Wheels, the company behind Huffy, All Light, and Batch, but that title barely covers how he got there. He started at Huffy, moved through Pacific Cycle, Cycling Sports Group, People for Bikes, and Rocky Mounts, then found his way back to Huffy more than once, each return different from the last. We started with the people who shaped him early on, especially Chris Horning, the founder of Pacific Cycle, who taught him cost control and team building. "The one thing that I think Chris gave me more than anything else was how to appreciate the people that help you get there." He also talked about Tim Blumenthal at People for Bikes and Bill Smith, who brought him back to Huffy. The real turning point wasn't a boardroom moment. It was becoming a father. "When I was younger, I had all the energy in the world, I had all the work ethic. I had no empathy. It was charging to finish the job, without the perspective of the people I was working with, and in some cases, the people that I was running over to complete the task or the job at hand." From there we walked through the chapters that followed: Boulder and People for Bikes, a stint at Rocky Mounts, the return to Huffy, and then All Light, the material sciences startup that partnered with the world's largest consumer electronics company. He later left to start a cargo bike business in New York, and just months later, the board called him back to take over as CEO. That transition wasn't smooth. During his first week back, he called his wife with a different message than he'd hoped to deliver. "I think I've made a huge mistake." The industry was facing a global inventory crisis, but they turned 2024 into the best non-pandemic year the company has had. We also got into what happens when leadership goes wrong, and Bruno described watching a strong culture change under new management. "I watched what I thought was maybe the greatest culture I had ever worked in become a very toxic, very Fortune 100 type environment." That experience shapes how seriously he takes the responsibility he carries now, with 2,500 employees depending on his decisions. "That's probably the thing that keeps me up late at night, are we taking care of the employees well enough?" One of my favorite parts of this conversation was Bruno's honesty about who he is behind the title. He's not the extroverted, always-confident executive people expect. He's an introvert who still questions whether he's the right person for the job. We closed on persistence, and Bruno brought the conversation back to Leadville, the mountain bike race that humbled him more than he expected. "I assumed, based on my speeds, my abilities, nine, nine and a half hours, I should be finished. Eleven and a half hours later, I crossed the finish line and it was heartbreaking." That same mindset, he says, is what gets a business through its hardest years too. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Meet Bruno Maier 02:03 Mentors that Shaped Him 07:35 Fatherhood and Empathy 12:41 Career Turning Points 17:39 All Light and New Ventures 21:23 Returning as CEO 23:17 Tariffs and Supply Chain Shift 25:36 Focus and Simplify for 2026 27:00 When Culture Turns Toxic 30:00 The Call to Come Back 31:34 CEO Call Comes Through 32:44 Global Business Lessons 34:19 China and Europe Travel 36:16 Choosing Roles by Fun 38:52 CEO Weight and Vision 42:31 Empowerment and Data 43:33 Team Leadership Mindset 45:54 Imposter Syndrome Revealed 48:17 Leading with Care 50:46 Persistence from Endurance 54:27 Advice for Early Careers 56:06 Gratitude and Family Roots 58:18 Lessons for His Sons 59:21 Closing

2. 

   9 Jun 2026

   Good at Your Job Isn't Enough, with Seve Romero

   Host Seve Romero, SVP of HR for Finish Line and JD Sports, shares insights on business leadership and career growth beyond job proficiency in this interview.

3. 

   21 Apr 2026

   When the Ride Gets Messy, with Greg Healy

   Host Dave Tanner interviews Greg Healy, former CEO of APAC at Liberated Brands, about navigating industry challenges, building resilience, and leading through crisis.

4. 

   25 Mar 2026

   The Long Build with Sara Lawhead

   Host [Host Name] interviews outdoor industry executive Sara Lawhead about building brands for everyday consumers and navigating market shifts.

5. 

   15 Oct 2024

   Mike Cachat The Inventor of Online Bike Sales

   Host Tony interviews Mike Cachat, the inventor of online bike sales, about his entrepreneurial journey and lessons in perseverance and innovation.

6. 

   14 Aug 2024

   Nancy Dynan Building Strong Teams

   Host interviews Nancy Dynan, a seasoned executive, about her inspiring career journey and strategies for building successful teams at top outdoor brands.

7. 

   16 Nov 2023

   Accelerating Your Brand Mission - Christian Lepley

   Host interviews Christian Lepley, a marketing executive, about accelerating brand missions through innovative campaigns and emotional storytelling in the outdoor industry.

8. 

   14 Nov 2023

   The Mind Of An Outdoor Footwear Brand Leader - Keith Denny

   Host Tony O'Neill interviews outdoor footwear pioneer Keith Denny about building strong team culture, driving innovation, and ensuring sustainability in the industry.

9. 

   14 Nov 2023

   Building Authentic Action Sports Brands - Troy Michels

   Host interviews Troy Michels, a brand leader, about building authentic action sports brands through diverse industry experiences.

10. 

    14 Nov 2023

    EX-Nike Exec Creates New Shoe Category - Brian Lockard

    Bala Footwear Founder and CEO Brian Lockard discusses creating a new shoe category and transforming healthcare professional support after leaving Nike in this interview.

11. 

    14 Nov 2023

    How to Get a Job in the Outdoor Industry - Katie Crafts

    Host Tony O’Neill interviews Outdoor Industry career expert Katie Crafts for insider tips on landing top jobs through resume customization and effective networking.

12. 

    2 Nov 2023

    Elite Engineering Wins MTB World Cup Races - Devon Sullivan

    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 industry journey and emphasize the importance of patience and trust in product development. We'll cover everything, from the significance of the product development process to the intricacies of engineering the Mountain Bikes that UCI World Cup racers use to secure the top spot on the podium. Whether you're a passionate mountain biker or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes aspects of cycling industry product development, this episode promises to captivate and inform. Highline Outdoor Group https://www.highlineoutdoor.com/ LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/outdoorindustryrecruiter/

13. 

    4 Oct 2023

    One to 46 - Growing Specialty Running Stores - Chuck Abood

    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 fascinating evolution of his career progression and the growth of the business. Chuck shares valuable insights into the challenges and strategies in expanding the company from one store to a retail network of 46 stores. We also discuss the impact of the pandemic on the industry and the importance of staying active and embracing sustainability. Get ready to be inspired and gain valuable industry insights in this thought-provoking episode! Chuck's recommended book The Four Agreements: https://a.co/d/7q5YoWR Highline Outdoor Group  https://www.highlineoutdoor.com/ LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/outdoorindustryrecruiter/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/highlineoutdoor/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@outdoor_industry_recruiter

14. 

    27 Sept 2023

    From Ski Shop Employee to Outdoor Industry CEO - Alex Adema

    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, the Kickstarter campaign to launch the disruptive Phantom Glide ski treatment, DPS Skis’s brilliant culture, doing business in Utah, and their innovative solution of producing medical face shields by partnering with other outdoor industry brands during the lockdowns. Join us as we delve into Alex's experiences, lessons learned, and the importance of transparency, community engagement, and embracing change in pursuing success. Tune in on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Google and Apple to gain invaluable insights from this outdoor industry executive.

15. 

    22 Sept 2023

    Coming soon!

    I’ve been privileged to build relationships and strategize with some of the most distinguished Outdoor Industry & Sporting Goods brand leaders. We dive deep into discussions about the backstories of these industry titans, how to develop compelling organizational culture, overcoming challenges, and strategies for navigating one's professional path. Hosted by Tony O’Neill, Founder and President of Highline Outdoor Group, a purpose-driven executive search firm specializing in placing high-impact leadership in Outdoor Industry and Sporting Goods companies and brands.

Who has been a guest on Outdoor Industry Executive Voices

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Seve Romero
• Greg Healy
• Sara Lawhead
• Mike Cachat
• Nancy Dynan

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Contact Outdoor Industry Executive Voices

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.