The Professional Outdoor Media Association announced on social media on October 2, 2023 that they have hired a new Executive Director. The organization had been on the hunt for a new Executive Director since July, when Thomas MacAulay, the former one, departed the organization. The group enthusiastically introduced the public and its membership to Robert Sexton, the individual tapped to take on the part-time position.

The Professional Outdoor Media Association is thrilled to announce its new Executive Director, Robert Sexton!

Rob Sexton is one of the most seasoned non-profit consultants and issues management professionals in the country. Following early training working for the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and a key committee chairman, Rob joined the staff of the Sportsmen’s Alliance in 1995. Over the next seventeen years he rose through the ranks to Senior Vice President, responsible for federal and state legislation, litigation and ballot issues as well as forging strategic partnerships for the organization.

In 2012 Rob launched RTS Strategies, and works as a consultant for non-profit organizations, with a specific focus on executive management and public policy on behalf of organizations related to hunting, fishing, firearms, and the shooting sports. Clients of RTS Strategies have included the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Sportsmen’s Alliance, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, American Kennel Club, and more.

Rob is a 1990 graduate of The Ohio State University. He and his wife Beth have been married for 30 years and have four grown children, and two grandchildren. An avid hunter and angler, Rob enjoys fishing on Lake Erie and hunting wild turkeys, white tail deer, pheasant, quail and mourning doves, along with shooting sporting clays when time permits.

It’s exciting to welcome into the fold fresh and new leadership to the organization. Full disclosure, I’m a voting member of the association, and find them to be a valuable resource to anyone in the field of outdoor media. People who cover the outdoors, shooting, hunting, fishing, or related activities, should consider joining at least at a basic level of membership. 

POMA is a member organization made up of media professionals specializing in the outdoor arena. Their mission states:

To foster excellence in communications at all levels, help members build their businesses, connect media and industry, promote fair and honest communication of the traditional outdoor sports and conservation stories, and mentor the next generation of traditional outdoor sports communicators.

Back in January, the organization celebrated its 18th year since formation, and is comprised of 10 board of director members. The board members serve a three year term and executive members who are elected by the directors serve one year. Under this leadership dynamic, the Executive Director is responsible to the board of directors, answering directly to the Board Chairman. Through this structure, we can be assured that Sexton will steer the organization towards continuing to foster the spirit of the association.

The Professional Outdoor Media Association, Inc. is a group of individual communicators and Corporate Partners who believe in, defend, support and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting, and traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography, and other means. By doing so, members hope to educate the general public about these sports and encourage more participation in them. The organization serves the membership by helping members grow professionally, improve their skills, better their working environments and enhance their business.

I reached out to Sexton for a comment about this exciting news and to congratulate him. 

“Members of the Outdoor Media are the essential ambassadors of our great outdoor heritage, fostering interest in hunting, fishing and the shooting sports, while providing a window to our way of life to the general public. I’m proud to serve them in building a strong POMA to support their important work.” -Robert Sexton

Congratulations to Robert and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Looking forward to what may come while Sexton is at the helm. If you’d like to learn more information about the Professional Outdoor Media Association, check them out online at: https://professionaloutdoormedia.org/