Chris Perkins

Vice President of Programs, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

Jackson, Wyoming

Chris Perkins is the vice president of programs at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, where he builds coalitions for investment in outdoor recreation infrastructure. He spearheads program strategies to position outdoor recreation as a key economic driver, convening national-level leaders to develop a roadmap for rural economic development. His published research for his organization’s Rural Economic Development Toolkit was a centerpiece of the first National Leadership Forum on Rural Development, aiding communities to evaluate their success across the country. Chris fosters trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including rural community leaders, federal agencies, and various organizations, by prioritizing their unique values and demonstrating that outdoor recreation can be a sustainable pathway to strengthen rural communities.