Oxbow Strategies

09/01/2026

Success can create distance but Dolly Parton seemed remarkably good at refusing to let it.

This week’s The Bend talks about staying connected to the people and places that shaped us, recognizes the Imagination Library, and looks at the relationship between outdoor recreation, tourism and sense of place.

Read and subscribe below.

Oxbow

08/18/2026

Just because a decision is allowed doesn't mean the conversation should end there. Public service requires thinking about intent and how our actions will be understood by the people we serve.

That's where this week’s The Bend starts. Also included is a shoutout to Virginia Economic Developers Association and a look at advocacy in the outdoor economy.

Read and subscribe below.

08/04/2026

Oxbow is entering a different season.

With Owner and Principal Consultant Mike Clark’s new role at Franklin County now underway, he’ll be taking on a lot less consulting work and publishing The Bend less frequently. It’s important to do both well on a smaller scale than allow either to become something that’s simply squeezed into the calendar.

This week’s edition of The Bend is about knowing when to pull back.

Oxbow

07/29/2026

This week’s The Bend comes from Duck, North Carolina. It’s our first family vacation here since my father-in-law died. He loved this place and the time it gave us together, so being back has prompted some reflection on family and how we spend the moments available to us.

The issue also considers the value of making time together, whether that means a beach vacation, a camping trip, or a walk in the park. It closes with a look at the people and businesses supported by coastal recreation.

Check out the latest edition below.

Oxbow

07/23/2026

Every day, parks and recreation professionals see the impact youth sports have on a child’s confidence, health, friendships, and future. The challenge is that too many families still face barriers to participation.

The bipartisan STRONG Kids Act is an opportunity to change that by expanding access to youth sports through the organizations already serving communities across the country, including local parks and recreation agencies.

If you believe every child deserves the chance to play, take a few minutes to contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to support the STRONG Kids Act. Your voice matters and it only takes a few minutes to make it heard.

Click here for a form letter prepared by the National Recreation and Park Association: https://nrpa.quorum.us/campaigns/

07/21/2026

Public service brings together people who will not always agree. The way they disagree, though, is what helps shape public confidence in the institutions they serve.

This week’s The Bend reflects on decorum and recognizes a Vermont mill where outdoor products are still made close to home.

Oxbow

07/14/2026

Perspective changes with time.

This week’s The Bend reflects on looking back after a career milestone, recognizing the place that gave me my start, and why the outdoor economy is stronger than ever when communities invest in it together.

Hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it.

Oxbow

07/07/2026

Some personal news this week.

I'm honored to begin serving as Assistant County Administrator for Franklin County.

This week's The Bend reflects on progress, gratitude, and why parks and recreation continues to shape the way I think about communities.

Hope you'll take a few minutes to read it.

Oxbow

06/30/2026

Good ideas only go so far. Eventually, people need a way to put them into practice.

Read more in this week’s The Bend.

Oxbow