Houghton was most recently AIM’s national sales director. She joined the company in 2010 as the Outdoor Group’s Rocky Mountain sales manager. She was later promoted to national sales director and grew revenue across both brands by 6% in her first year, according to an AIM statement.

Backpacker and Climbing are two marquis brands in AIM’s Outdoor Group.

“With her track record for sales across all platforms including video and events, Sharon’s stewardship will help the brands continue to grow and thrive in the midst of an ever changing media landscape,” stated Kent Ebersole, VP and GM of AIM’s Outdoor Group.

Houghton will be responsible for driving sales across both brands’ media platforms, managing profitability and delivering content, advertising and driving new revenue streams.

On LinkedIn, Houghton says her goal as the new group publisher is to “deliver custom and creative solutions" to brands targeting AIM's "engaged audience across a variety of multimedia platforms.”