Dothan business owner named to Alabama Retail Association board

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - A Dothan business owner has been elected to the board of directors of the Alabama Retail Association, the state organization announced Friday.

Eagle Eye Outfitters owner and CEO Mark Anderson was named as one of three new members to the board, which he will serve on for the next two years.

The Alabama Retail Association works to provide advocacy and representation for thousands of businesses around the state, from small, family-owned retail stores to large national chains, educating lawmakers at all levels “on the needs of retailers and (to) cultivate a strong business climate.”

Anderson, a graduate of Enterprise State Community College and Troy University Dothan, opened the independent outdoor lifestyle retailer alongside his wife Susan in 1999.

Using his experience from previous work as a manager of a Dothan western and workwear company and a stint as a national sales manager for a racing apparel company, Anderson was able to grow the footprint of Eagle Eye from 2,500 square feet to 45,000 square feet, while employing 95 people in the store.

Anderson’s work in expanding Eagle Eye earned him a board member spot with the Grassroot Outdoor Alliance, which is dedicated to growing the specialty outdoor retail industry. That work has also expanded into community aid as well, a lot of that coming from his and his wife Susan’s involvement in WIRED Ministries, an area nonprofit that helps with local projects while ministering area youth.

Eagle Eye Outfitters won the Alabama Retail Association’s 2016 Retailer of the Year award and the store has been a member of the organization since 2020.

“The Alabama Retail Association gives me a way to communicate my thoughts and opinions on how to grow the retail industry in our state so that it can be successful for generations to come,” said Anderson.

Anderson is one of three Wiregrass area representatives on the 25-person board of directors, joining Chad Wester of the Boll Weevil Soap Company and Melissa Parker-Paul of Yancey Parker’s, both in Enterprise.

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