Bill Sweasy, who is leaving as chief executive of Red Wing Shoe Company later this year, after 21 years at its helm, was awarded the Outdoor Inspiration Award during the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Jan. 24. Based in Red Wing, Minnesota, the company markets the Red Wing, Worx, Vasque and Irish Setter brands of footwear. It also owns S.B. Foot Tanning Company and the St. James Hotel. A native of Red Wing, Sweasy received his business degree from the University of Minnesota in 1976, and has held various management positions within the company. He serves as a board member for the Red Wing Shoe Company Foundation and other organizations and was previously on the board of directors of the Outdoor Industry Association and the Outdoor Foundation. The annual Outdoor Inspiration Awards recognize individuals, groups and companies that motivate others to become active in the outdoors. Sweasy was awarded the individual award for his long-standing involvement in outdoor advocacy and for founding and working with the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center (RW-ELC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids get involved in the outdoors.

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