|
AMERICAN RECREATION COALITION FACT SHEET |
|
by ARC Dedicated to the protection and enhancement of everyone's right to health and happiness through recreation. Fact Sheet American Recreation Coalition Staff Profiles The American Recreation Coalition (ARC) is a Washington-based non-profit organization formed in 1979. Since its inception, ARC has sought to catalyze public/private partnerships to enhance and protect outdoor recreational opportunities and the resources upon which such experiences are based. ARC conducts research on a regular basis, organizes and conducts national conferences and meetings and disseminates information through a variety of newsletters, columns and other media regarding recreational needs and initiatives. ARC also monitors legislative and regulatory proposals that influence recreation and works with government agencies and the U.S. Congress to study public policy issues that will shape future recreational opportunities. In 1984, ARC played a key role in amending the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to create the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, popularly known as the Wallop-Breaux Fund. Using moneys generated through a 10% excise tax on fishing equipment and a portion of the tax collected on sales of recreational motorboat fuels, Wallop-Breaux funds enhancements in boating and fishing opportunities. In 1998, ARC spearheaded the effort to strengthen that program significantly, assuring more funds for needed boating safety efforts, instituting a new outreach program to help more Americans enjoy leisure time on our public waters, and recovering an additional $135 million in boater fuel taxes for boating and fishing enhancement. ARC also played the central role in the creation and operation of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors, which operated from 1985 to 1987. Among the many ARC-inspired recommendations of the Commission were the creation of the National Scenic Byways Program and the Recreational Trails Program and the implementation of greater flexibility for recreation fee programs designed to recover a large portion of costs. With ARC support, there are now 53 nationally designated National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads and a federal grant program for state scenic byway systems. The Recreational Trails Program now returns millions of dollars in federal fuel taxes, paid by off-road recreation enthusiasts, to the states for trail development and maintenance projects. The recreation fee demonstration program, an ARC initiative that was recently extended through 2001, brings $200 million in new funding to federal land-management agencies each year to enhance visitor facilities and services. In 1996, ARC led the effort to establish a National Recreation Lakes Study Commission in order to enhance recreation opportunities at more than 1,700 federally managed, man-made lakes across the country. The Commission completed its report in 1999 and work is now under way in the Congress and the Executive Branch to follow up on its recommendations. Among the organizations in which ARC plays a central role are: the American League of Anglers and Boaters, the Coalition for Recreational Trails, the Scenic Byways Coalition and Partners for a National Recreation Lakes System. In 1989, ARC catalyzed the creation of the Recreation Roundtable, comprised of the CEO's of many of the nation's most prominent recreation companies. Roundtable projects have included: Partners Outdoors, an important partnership-building seminar held annually in Florida; national research on recreation motivation, satisfaction levels and barriers; and support for innovative partnership efforts such as "WOW -- Wonderful Outdoor World," a program to introduce city kids to outdoor fun through camping, fishing and other activities. The Roundtable's research work led to the creation of the Recreational Quality Index (RQI), a statistical tool used to evaluate Americans' recreational habits and overall satisfaction with the quality of their recreational experiences. ARC is now a well-established national federation of more than 100 private sector organizations. Its volunteer leaders run the nation's most prominent recreation companies and recreation-related associations. For more information, visit ARC's Web site: www.funoutdoors.com. AMERICAN RECREATION COALITION MEMBERS SUSTAINING MEMBERS: America Outdoors; American Council of Snowmobile Associations; The Coleman Company, Inc.; Dometic Sales Corporation; Family Campers and RVers Family; Motor Coach Association; Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.; Good Sam Club; International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association; Jayco Inc.; Kampgrounds of America, Inc.; National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds; National Forest Recreation Association; National Marine Manufacturers Association; National Park Hospitality Association; Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association; Professional Paddlesports Association; Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association; Recreation Vehicle Industry Association; RV America Online; Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association; Walt Disney Company; Western Sunbathing Association. GENERAL MEMBERS: Academy of Model Aeronautics; American Association for Leisure and Recreation; American Association for Nude Recreation; American Bus Association; American Forests; American Horse Council; American Hotel and Lodging Association; American Motorcyclist Association; American Power Boat Association; American Resort and Residential Development Association; American Sportfishing Association; American Suzuki Motor Corporation; American Trails; American Water Ski Association; Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers; International Bicycle Manufacturers Association of America; Boat US; Boating Trades Association of Metropolitan Houston; Boating Trades Association of Texas; Bombardier Recreational Products; Carefree of Colorado; Champion Fleet Owners Association; Coachmen Industries, Inc.; Coast to Coast; Colorado Agency for Campgrounds, Cabins, and Lodges; Cross Country Ski Areas Association; Experimental Aircraft Association; Florida RV Trade Association; Forest Education Foundation; International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions; International Association of Snowmobile Administrators; International Family Recreation Association; International Jet Sports Boating Association; International Kart Federation; Kampground Owners Association; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Leisure Systems, Inc.; Marina Operators Association Of America; Marine Retailers Association of America; Maryland Association of Campgrounds; Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles and Campgrounds; Michigan Boating Industries Association; Motorcycle Industry Council; Mountain Recreation; National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; National Boating Federation; National Club Association; National Employee Services and Recreation Association; National Hot Rod Association; National Hydropower Association; National Motorsports Committee; National Off-Road Bicycle Association; National Outdoor Coalition; National Ski Areas Association; National Spa and Pool Institute; National Sporting Goods Association; National Tour Association; National Trailer Manufacturers Association; Northern California Marine Association; Outdoor Industry Association; Outdoor Resorts of America, Inc.; Personal Watercraft Industry Association; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association; Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council; Reserve America; Resort and Commercial Recreation Association; Sampo, Inc.; Seaway Trail, Inc.; Southern California Loners of America; Southern California Marine Association; Special Recreation, Inc.; Specialty Equipment Market Association; Specialty Vehicle Institute of America; States Organization for Boating Access; Texas Recreational Vehicle Association; Thor Industries, Inc.; United Motorcoach Association; United Four Wheel Drive Associations; United Mobile Sportfishermen, Inc.; United States Recreational Ski Association; Wally Byam Caravan Club International; Warehouse Distributors Association - The RV/MH Aftermarket Association; WFJ Consultant; Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. American Recreation Coalition Staff Profiles Derrick Crandall -- President Derrick Crandall has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Recreation Coalition since 1981. He is the Executive Vice President of The Recreation Roundtable and serves as Co-Chair of both the American League of Anglers and Boaters and the Coalition for Recreational Trails. He also chairs the Scenic Byways Coalition. Derrick served as a member of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors from 1985 until 1987 and the President's Commission on Environmental Quality from 1991 until 1993. He received the Chevron Conservation Award in 1991. Derrick was also Chairman of the Take Pride in America Advisory Board, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and a Founding Director of the National Forest Foundation, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. He has served on several national judging panels, including Co-Chairing the U.S. Department of the Interior's Take Pride in America award program in 1990 and 1991. Among the dozens of public policy successes in which he has played a central role are the National Scenic Byways Program, the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program and the National Recreation Lakes Commission. These efforts have been recognized in many ways, including induction into the RV Hall of Fame and receipt of the 1993 Annual Award of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. USA Today has cited him as "the outdoor guru" and his work was featured in the cover story of RV Business in March 1998. Derrick served on the board of the American Society of Association Executives for seven years, including two terms as Vice Chairman. He received ASAE's Professional Performance Award in 1980, his Certified Association Executive recognition in 1990 and was named an ASAE Fellow in 1992. He has served in leadership roles on numerous community and philanthropic organizations and presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Earth Conservation Corps. He is an honors graduate of Dartmouth College. Catherine Ahern -- Vice President, Member Services Catherine Ahern is Vice President, Member Services for the American Recreation Coalition. ARC has more than 100 private-sector members, including many of the nation's most prominent recreation companies and recreation-related associations. In addition to member services, Catherine is responsible for program marketing and membership development and serves as ARC's Corporate Secretary. She also works closely with the Coalition for Recreational Trails, a coalition of trail-related groups which was formed in 1992 to ensure that the national Recreational Trails Program receives adequate funding. Prior to joining ARC in July 1995, Catherine served as a senior executive with the International Snowmobile Industry Association, ending her 22-year tenure with that organization as its President and Chief Executive Officer. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and received a Master's degree in Library Science from Florida State University. Mary Beth Seibert -- Senior Consultant Mary Beth Seibert is the Senior Consultant for the American Recreation Coalition's Scenic Byways Program. Prior to this position, she served as the organization's Vice President. She has played a central role in the development of the nation's scenic byways program, including roles as the Conference Coordinator of the first national scenic byways conference, Scenic Byways '88. She later served that same role for Scenic Byways '91 and the 1998 Scenic Byways Regional Workshops. She was the founding editor of the Scenic Byways Bulletin and served as a judge for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Excellence in Design Competition. Mary Beth directed ARC's annual Best of the Byways competition and acted as a consultant to the National Scenic Byways Study. Prior to joining ARC in 1983, she was employed in the tourism and conventions industries. She is a graduate of Hood College. Erin McHugh -- Administrative Assistant Erin McHugh is the Administrative Assistant for the American Recreation Coalition. She provides support to the ARC staff and works closely with its members. Erin began working for ARC in November 2001 after graduating with honors from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) where she obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication and a minor in Exercise and Health Sciences. While completing her undergraduate degree, she interned at Ruder Finn Public Relations in Washington, DC and worked as a peer advisor for UCSB's Washington Center Program.
|