Advisory Board

Get to know the Switchback Advisory Board

Comprised of outdoor industry leaders representing brands, retailers, and organizations, these individuals will support Switchback with their expertise and experience. The board will guide Switchback education focus areas and networking opportunities while representing the needs and challenges of the outdoor industry community. Learn more here.

Questions? Have a recommendation for the Switchback Advisory Board? Email our team at [email protected].

Matt Burbach

VP of Marketing, Mountain Hardwear

As a seasoned marketing and creative professional in the outdoor industry, Matt has a keen eye for connecting brand values and products with outdoor communities and culture. He currently serves as VP of Marketing for Mountain Hardwear, having been pivotal in building its long-term brand strategy, including a new brand look and feel. His tenure in the outdoor industry includes roles at The North Face and Black Diamond, book author, magazine founder, photographer, and athlete. In 2021, Matt was a co-founder of Color the Wasatch, a climbing-centered affinity group in the Salt Lake City area. Matt has an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from the University of Maryland and is a practitioner of skiing, trail and ultrarunning, and climbing.

Kent Ebersole

President, Outdoor Industry Association

Kent Ebersole is the President of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), bringing over two decades of experience in media, business strategy, and nonprofit consulting. Kent has a broad range of experience in media, business strategy, and non-profit consulting. He spent his early days in the outdoor industry with Rodale and Active Interest Media, managing the business of outdoor media brands including Backpacker, Climbing, Ski, and Warren Miller. Kent hopes to inspire industry leaders and stakeholders to work together toward a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone in the outdoor industry. Outside of work, his mission is to invite people of all abilities from the outdoor industry to join him in hiking the Colorado Trail as slowly as possible.

Beth Gordon

Director, New Business Development, Switchback

Beth has more than 30 years in the trade show industry, including 15 years as part of the The Running Event team. Her previous roles include Sales Director for Outdoor Retailer and Board Member of Camber Outdoors.

Jeff Greenwell

Director, Wholesale Marketing, Outdoor Research

My career in the outdoor industry began 20 years ago working on a retail store floor, engaging with customers face-to-face. This hands-on experience paved the way for my transition to an online retailer, ultimately leading me to Outdoor Research, where I’ve spent the last 17 years in various roles. In my current role, I focus on partnering with reps and retailers to ensure their success, constantly seeking ways to enhance efficiency in projects and communication. A good listener, I value collaboration and open dialogue to drive results. Outside of work, I’m passionate about backpacking, skiing, and riding bikes, embracing the very adventures I strive to promote in my professional life.

Laura Jones

SE – Territory Manager, Beast Coast Sales

Laura lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and currently works in sales for various brands within the outdoor industry. She has worked in the outdoor industry for the past 20 years in Specialty sales and retail management. Laura currently serves on the Smokies Life board and has served on the 360 AC board. She also volunteers for various groups including Catalyst Sports and Keep Knoxville Beautiful putting on annual events with outdoor professionals. She has a passion for the outdoors and, when not working, you will find her hiking, running, biking, or paddling with friends.

Leta Kalfas

President/CEO, MtnStuff

Leta found her passion for the mountains and outdoors at the age of 3—skiing in Colorado was a true love of hers, and this formed her passions that would define her lifelong career. For 30 years, Leta has been a rep in the Outdoor Industry with MtnStuff, covering the beautiful states of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Now at the helm of MtnStuff, Leta and her team partner with iconic outdoor brands like Osprey Packs, Outdoor Research, Western Mountaineering, and Lowa Boots (to name a few). Elevating these brands together with the best retailers in the territory is Leta’s “sweet spot”—where relationships, products, and the outdoors merge together. Leta lives in Denver with her wife Anne, youngest son, Apollo, and French Bulldog, Stella Rae. Leta’s oldest son Jaxson is a Junior at Claremont McKenna College in California.

Hannah Mathews

Partnerships & Program Director, The Futurist Project

Hannah Mathews is the Partnerships and Program Director at Futurist Project. After spending over ten successful years in sales and marketing for the specialty foods industry, she followed her passion for the outdoors to co-found an adventure travel start-up company, and has since worked for Rumpl, Freestone Sales Group, Waypoint Outdoors and Helly Hansen. Hannah strives to align her life with her values by partnering with mission-driven brands who value making the outdoor industry more sustainable, diverse, and equitable. Hannah currently resides in Park City and spends her free time mountain biking, snowboarding, and exploring the desert.

Ed McAlister

President, River Sports Outfitters

Ed McAlister has been at his retail store for the past 41 yrs. He served 6 years on Outdoor Industry Association board, GOA board, and Smokies Life with Great Smoky Mountains. He has participated on multiple other local boards and advisory committees.

Aaron Baker

Head of Global Sales, Chrome Industries

With over 20 years of experience in the footwear and outdoor industry, I am a passionate and strategic leader who drives growth and innovation. As a team leader, I love collaborating with cross-functional teams and partners to deliver exceptional products and experiences for our customers. I have a proven track record of developing and executing successful go-to-market plans, launching new product lines, expanding distribution channels, and increasing brand awareness and loyalty. I am committed to the mission of creating original and versatile products that enable people to enjoy the outdoors and care for the planet. I am also passionate about building a diverse and inclusive culture that fosters creativity, collaboration, and empowerment for our team and our community.

Joe Power

President/.CEO, Crown Enterprises dba Sportsman and Ski Haus / Tri State Outfitters

Our company is an Employee-Owned outdoor specialty retailer. We have four locations within Northwest Montana and Northern Idaho. My retail career began as a student while attending the University of Nebraska. After college, I worked my way into a store management position eventually transferred to Montana. I was hired in 2002 at Sportsman and Ski Haus in Kalispell, Montana as a department manager. Through the years I moved through the company in various roles. In 2018, I was promoted to my current role. I love hiking locally in Glacier National Park, floating and fly fishing our local rivers and lakes and snowboarding our two ski hills.

Ken Taylor

Sr. Director, Outdoor, The North Face

Seasoned brand leader with 20 years of experience in brand, marketing, and sales leadership in the Run, Snow, and Outdoor industries. Originally from Grand Haven, MI, now based in Denver, CO. Passion for the industry started at age 19, working the floor at an Outdoor Specialty shop.

Joshua Tedeschi

Senior Manager, US Specialty Sales, Arc’teryx

Josh started in the outdoor industry on the east coast, in Boston, with Eastern Mountain Sports and progressively moved west, with stops in Michigan, Chicago, and now based in the front range of Colorado. He’s held several positions with Arc’teryx and formerly The North Face, in multiple regions, currently overseeing independent retail and the specialty sales team for Arc’teryx in the US.

Lauren Salzinger

Vice President & GMM, Apparel & Accessories – Public Lands, Dicks Sporting Goods

Lauren has developed apparel, footwear, and accessories businesses for some of America’s most renowned brands and retailers. She now leads the Public Lands Softlines team at Dick’s Sporting Goods, creating a unique experience for outdoor customers, combining her love of the outdoors with her passion for trend and curation.

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