America Outdoors Association Staff Information

Executive Director: David L. Brown
David L. Brown has been Executive Director of America Outdoors Association since shortly after its formation. He has served as a representative of various outfitter organizations for the past 21 years. From 1980 to 1983, he directed the successful efforts to preserve whitewater recreation on the Ocoee River. Perception Kayaks awarded him the first Conservationist of the Year award in 1981. Later he directed the conservation effort on the Gauley River where he originated the Gauley River Festival. In 1989, as Executive Director of Eastern Professional River Outfitters Association, he coordinated the first Confluence convention. He has served on the Board of Directors for the American Recreation Coalition, American Rivers, the North American Paddlesports Association, and the Governor's Task Force on Reform and Liability Insurance (TN) and was chairman of the Mayor's Waterfront Task Force in Knoxville, TN. He has testified before Congress 14 times on resources management,fee and concessions issues.

Communications Director: Robin Beard Brown
Robin began working for America Outdoors Association in 1991. Before that she worked as a whitewater raft guide on the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia, and for the National Park Service as a ranger on the New River. She taught alpine skiing and was on staff at Canaan Valley, WV, WinterPlace, WV and Ober Gatlinburg, TN Ski Resorts. She holds a B.S. in Recreation & Parks from West Virginia University. As Communications Director Robin's responsibilities include the production of the quarterly newsletter and Confluence newsletter, maintaining the commercial membership database, the AOA web site and designing and producing the Confluence meeting book. Robin is the trade show manager; selling and managing the exhibits for the Confluence Trade Show & International Bazaar. She has also served as coordinator for National River Cleanup Week. When at home she spends her spare time with her daughter Hillary, and is a rowing instructor for the Knoxville Rowing Association on the Tennessee River.

Office Manager: Chrystal Graham
Chrystal joined the America Outdoors Association staff as office manager in 2007. She has years of experience in administrative and office management, as well as being a former small business owner. She spent most of her childhood in California and Illinois, and her adult life in New Orleans, LA. Chrystal is presently working toward her Advertising/Marketing degree from Pellissippi State College, Knoxville, TN. Chrystal manages the outfitter member database, works with AO's conference speakers, keeps up with ALL the office details and pays the bills at America Outdoors. In her spare time Chrystal enjoys playing the piano, water aerobics, as well as water and snow skiing. She and her husband David live in Knoxville, along with their dogs Beignet and Mojo.