Bass Pro hires Patagonia exec

Photo provided by Bass Pro Shops

Phil Graves, shown quail hunting, is Bass Pro's new chief sustainability officer.

Bass Pro Shops hired a new executive as part of plans to increase its sustainability efforts.

Phil Graves joined the Springfield-based outdoor retailer as chief sustainability officer, according to a news release issued yesterday. Graves' LinkedIn profile indicates he started in January after previously working seven years as a vice president at Ventura, California-based outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia Inc.

“Conservation is central to everything we do, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome an industry-recognized leader in sustainability to our Great American Outdoors Group of companies,” said Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro, in the release. “Phil’s talents and passion for the outdoors make him a natural fit for this role, and his leadership and expertise will advance our conservation mission and impact across North America.”

At Bass Pro, Graves works with Morris and Senior Director of Conservation Bob Ziehmer to reduce the company’s environmental footprint in manufacturing, supply chain and operations, as well as expand wildlife conservation and educational programs under the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation.

Graves also has past experience at Deloitte and PwC, according to the release. At Patagonia, he led a $79 million corporate venture capital unit that invested in environmental startups.

Bass Pro's recent conservation efforts have included the return of rehabilitated sea turtles to the wild after living in Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium and care for a cancer-stricken largemouth bass, according to its media relations website.