Cush Arrue, William “Bill” Brod and Aaron Schmaus have all been elected to the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) Board of Directors. In addition, Allen Forkner has been appointed as the Corporate Partner Director on the Board of Directors. All four will assume their roles July 1, 2025 and serve two-year terms.
Arrue is a dedicated husband, father of three and entrepreneur who has found new purpose in his faith as a born-again Christian. With 20 years of experience in marketing and sales, he now leads the marketing and creative direction at Apex Mountain. His passion for media and storytelling shines through in his work. Despite growing up in Florida, Arrue’s love for the outdoors was reignited during COVID, leading him to explore nature once again. Now you can find him sharing his stories and creative vision at Apex Mountain, where he continues to lead with passion and dedication.
Brod, a native of central New York state, is the Publisher and CEO of Outdoor Specialty Media Group, a digital publishing company dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Union College and spent a decade working across various regions in the United States before returning to his hometown area. Brod is married and has four grown daughters. He actively participates on several community boards and has a deep-seated passion for outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, gardening and golf. Additionally, he is involved in ski racing both as a competitor and a coach.
Although born in Texas, Schmaus was raised in Montana. Immediately after high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was deployed to multiple locations overseas. During his service, he sustained injuries in Afghanistan, leading to his medical separation. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps as both a writer and outdoorsman, Schmaus published Ten Rules for Finding a Good Hunting Partner in 2019. In 2022, he became an owner of VIAM Outdoors, a well-established Montana-based company specializing in lightweight outdoor gear. Spending a significant amount of time in the wilderness, he captures and shares his outdoor adventures through film, photography, and writing, inspiring others to connect with the great outdoors.
Forkner joined GunBroker in 2023 as Vice President of Public Relations and Brand Management. Prior to bringing his experience and vision to the brand, media relations and editorial programs at GunBroker, Forkner spent 13 years at Swanson Russell, a leading full-service marketing agency in the outdoor space, culminating in his tenure as Vice President and Director of Public Relations. Forkner is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and spent the early part of his career as a print journalist, covering such events as 9/ 11 and the space shuttle Columbia disaster. In addition to competitive shooting and hunting, Forkner is a sport bowler and USBC Bronze coach, working with youth bowlers.