Regional outdoor business network welcomes Rachael Chestnut to expand and diversify its long term financial sustainability.
The Outdoor Business Alliance, Western North Carolina’s premier outdoor industry association, and Venture Asheville’s “Ecosystem Support Organization of the Year” in 2025, is excited to announce the appointment of Rachael Chestnut as its new Development Coordinator. With a mission to cultivate, connect, and support a community of outdoor industry leaders, the Outdoor Business Alliance (OBA) has grown to over 170 members including businesses and organizations that represent the entire region’s growing outdoor economy.
Rachael Chestnut is the Founder and CEO of The Play Nice Agency, a business advisory and creative marketing agency that helps leaders navigate complex business challenges and turn strategy into creative solutions that drive meaningful impact. Her career spans government, corporate strategy, communications, and entrepreneurship, holding advanced degrees in Military Strategy and Economics, bringing a strategist’s mindset and a healthy appreciation for unconventional thinking to the work she does today.
This position is made possible with support from the Appalachian Regional Commissions READY Grants to Grow, that help Appalachian organizations obtain the skills, knowledge and resources necessary to strengthen their local economies – now and into the future.
Chestnut began work in early August, and will work in tandem with Executive Director, Conner Borkowski to bolster the organization’s capacity and secure the long-term financial sustainability of the Outdoor Business Alliance through diversified fundraising, meticulous grant management, and high-impact event execution.
For more information on Outdoor Business Alliance and WNC’s outdoor industry, visit outdoorbusinessalliance.org.
About the Outdoor Business Alliance
Throughout the mountain region of Western North Carolina, the Outdoor Business Alliance fosters a prosperous outdoor community by cultivating, connecting, and supporting outdoor industry businesses.
Members include outdoor-focused gear manufacturers, retailers, outfitters, experience providers, non-profits, partners, supporters, and sponsors. Learn more at outdoorbusinessalliance.org.