Michael Knopp Email & Phone Number

Experienced Executive Director with a demonstrated history of working in the sports and outdoor adventure industries. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Event Planning, Strategic Planning, Event Management, Development, Sponsorship, Venue Development, Public Speaking, and Volunteer Management. Strong business development professional graduated from University of Oklahoma School of Law and Oklahoma State University. A passion for the outdoors and a vision for bringing national and international water sports to the Oklahoma City have been the driving force behind my leadership in developing the Oklahoma City rowing and paddling community, the Boathouse District, national and international sporting events, and ultimately, the master plan development of the Oklahoma River. Bringing corporate, civic and community leaders together, I have led multiple local, national, and international initiatives including:Establishment of the first boathouse on the newly redeveloped Oklahoma River. The Chesapeake Boathouse opened in January 2006 as Oklahoma City’s community boathouse and the cornerstone of the Boathouse District. Development of the $10 million Devon Boathouse and National High Performance Center project; the $6 million Finish Line Tower; the University of Central Oklahoma Boathouse, RIVERSPORT Adventures, and the Oklahoma City’s $45 million RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater rafting and kayaking center.The Oklahoma Regatta Festival and OCU Head of the Oklahoma regatta, established in 2004. Now recognized as one of the nation’s top rowing races and an innovator in the sport of rowing with the addition of the nation’s first sanctioned night racing.Numerous national and international events including national championships in both rowing and canoe/kayak, “ITU Boathouse International Triathlon”, the USA Rowing World Challenge, International Canoe Federation Marathon World Championship, the US Olympic Trials (hosted multiple times), and the globally televised ICF Super Cup.Working to establish a national consortium of aquatic venues to attract an unprecedented number of international events to the United States, including the 2026 Whitewater Slalom World Championship to be hosted in Oklahoma City.Earning the honor of serving as an official US Olympic and Paralympic Training Site in both rowing and canoe/kayak since 2009.Securing the selection of Oklahoma City as one of four cities in America to launch the Outdoor Foundation’s THRIVE Outside initiative aimed to make a generational change in outdoor culture among youth.

Listed skills include Fundraising, Public Speaking, Event Planning, Public Relations, and 21 others.