President

Jessica (Wahl) Turner

Jessica (Wahl) Turner is the first President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), America’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations. Under her leadership, ORR has connected all segments of the outdoor recreation economy to pass historical legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act and achieve millions of dollars in funding for public lands, waters and rural gateway communities. Jessica has over a decade of experience navigating the halls of The White House, Department of the Interior (DOI), Capitol Hill, state recreation offices and outdoor lifestyle businesses. Prior to ORR, she directed Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) outdoor recreation portfolio in Washington D.C. where she successfully gained landmark government recognition of outdoor recreation’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product as one of America’s leading industry sectors.

Jessica began her career at the Department of the Interior where she managed external relations for the Secretary, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside and Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiatives. Jessica is also the co-founder and past-chair of the Coalition for Outdoor Access, serves on the Board of the American Conservation Coalition, Advisory Council of Oregon State University’s Outdoor Economy Program, and has been recognized for her leadership in D.C. and the outdoor industry with Outdoors’ 30 Under 30 and the Hill’s Top Lobbyist. Jessica has a Master of Arts and bachelor’s degree in American Government from Georgetown University and is a passionate outdoorswoman.

Senior Director

Chris Perkins

Chris Perkins is Senior Director at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, where he works to promote the sustainable growth of the outdoor recreation economy. This work focuses on rural economic development through outdoor recreation, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and building a more inclusive outdoor recreation community.

Chris received a Masters in Environmental Management and Masters in Business Administration at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) and Yale School of Management (SOM). Chris has also worked for the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. Chris supports Founder Teresa Baker on the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge (“The Pledge”), a commitment for outdoor businesses and organizations to improve on DEI efforts. The Pledge now has over 180 corporate and nonprofit partners. He lives in Jackson, WY with his wife Sheldon, son Silas, and dog Tilley.

Together Outdoors Coalition Lead

Gerry Seavo James

Gerry Seavo James is the Together Outdoors Lead at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, where he leads a cross-sector coalition of over 100 organizations, individuals, business leaders, federal agencies, activists, manufacturers and service providers who share a commitment to building an inclusive outdoor recreation community. Prior to ORR, Gerry founded Explore Kentucky, an outdoor-oriented social enterprise which works expand outdoor accessibility, build environmental literacy, and improve quality of life for folks in Kentucky.

Through Explore Kentucky and other endeavors, Gerry has created and stewarded several outdoor events and guided programs, lead development of the Beaver Creek Blueway Trail, created the Waterman Series (a paddlesports racing league), and served as a founding steering member of Kentucky Rural – Urban Exchange. Gerry is an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified instructor in various paddling disciplines. He was awarded the ACA’s Joe Pina Leadership Award in 2018.

Gerry earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Mass Communications Area from Campbellsville University. He is also an Air Force veteran, social artist, photojournalist, and past Outdoor Afro leader. Since 2010, Gerry has adopted the Commonwealth of Kentucky as his home.

Director

Ben Nasta

Ben Nasta is Director at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable where he works on a variety of issues including federal government relations, communications, state Offices of Outdoor Recreation, events and much more. Ben has been with ORR since it’s inception, and prior to that worked with the American Recreation Coalition for five years.

Prior to coming to Washington, D.C., Ben worked as a local news producer at 13-WHAMTV in Rochester, NY. He holds a degree in journalism with a minor in politics from Ithaca College’s Park School of Communications.

ORR Executive Committee

Frank Hugelmeyer – ORR Chair

Frank Hugelmeyer is president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Discover Boating. He is a founding member of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and current Board Chair. He has more than 30 years of experience in the sporting goods, fitness equipment and outdoor industry private sectors and an extensive background in retail, manufacturing, brand development, public policy and association management.

As an association CEO, Frank has led three of America’s most influential outdoor trade groups. Prior to NMMA, he served as president of the RV Industry Association and GoRVing and before that he was the longtime president & CEO of Outdoor Industry Association. He is known for leading the renowned campaign that defined the economic importance of the outdoor recreation industry for the first time in our nation’s history and collaborating closely with Utah Governor Gary Herbert to establish the first Governor’s State Office of Outdoor Recreation. Eighteen states have now established similar offices dedicated to growing the outdoor recreation economy.

Frank serves on numerous boards serving the outdoors and in 2012 was recognized by The White House as a Champion of Change.

Glenn Hughes – ORR Vice Chair

Glenn Hughes is president of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). His responsibilities include working closely with the government affairs team to ensure the industry remains strong and that we collectively have clean water, abundant fisheries and access to both. Mr. Hughes also leads the ASA staff that produces the ICAST fishing tackle trade show, Keep America Fishing, Keep Florida Fishing, the FishAmerica Foundation. Besides the O.R.R. Board, Glenn is also on the board of directors for The Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, The Center for Sportfishing Policy and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

Erik Pritchard –  ORR Treasurer

Erik Pritchard is president and CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. In addition to leading MIC, Pritchard also leads the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Mary Ellen Sprenkel – ORR Secretary

Mary Ellen Sprenkel is president & CEO of The Corps Network. A long-time champion for youth, Ms. Sprenkel came to The Corps Network in March 2008 as Director of Government Relations. She was promoted to Vice President of External Affairs in 2011 and then Interim CEO in May 2012 before being named to her current position in October 2012. During her tenure, Service and Conservation Corps have become better known to lawmakers and policymakers throughout the federal government. In addition to her time at The Corps Network, Ms. Sprenkel has 10 years of Capitol Hill experience, including two years on the House Committee on Education and Labor, where she handled post-secondary education, training, and life-long learning programs.

Chris Edmonston – At-Large Member

Chris Edmonston is vice president for government affairs with the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), and President of the BoatUS Foundation. He has been with the organization for more than 20 years and in the marine industry for more than 30 years. He has served on numerous boards and councils, including recently serving as the Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council. Mr. Edmonston works with a wide range of external partner organizations and companies to promote safe and clean boating, as well as boating in general. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and lives in Maryland.

Jay Landers – At-Large Member

Jay Landers is vice president for government affairs with the RV Industry Association (RVIA) – a national trade association which represents motorhome, travel trailer, truck camper, and park model RV manufacturers.  As head of RVIA’s government affairs department, Mr. Landers works closely with state and federal government officials, legislators, and other trade association staff.  The department focuses heavily on federal and state legislative and regulatory issues. 

Phil Ingrassia – ORR Past Chair

Phil Ingrassia is president of the RV Dealers Association – the national association representing the interests of RV dealers, rental companies, and RV AfterMarket stores. He earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2005. Mr. Ingrassia received the Joan Barone Shorenstein Congressional Fellowship from the American Political Science Association. He holds a B.S. in Mass Communications and Political Science from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN.

Board of Directors

Mark Amaral
Executive Director
Association of Marina Industries

Paul Bambei
President and CEO
ARVC – National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds

Derrick Crandall
Counselor
National Park Hospitality Association

Jenn Dice
President & CEO
PeopleForBikes

Kent Ebersole
Interim Executive Director
Outdoor Industry Association

Chris Edmonston*
Vice President of Government Affairs
BoatU.S.

Dan Forster
Vice President & Chief Conservation Officer
Archery Trade Association

Matt Gruhn
President
Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Frank Hugelmeyer*
President
National Marine Manufacturers Association

Glenn Hughes*
President
American Sportfishing Association

Daniel Ingber
VP, Government and Legal Affairs
Specialty Equipment Market Association

Tom Ingram
President & CEO
Diving Equipment & Marketing Association

Phil Ingrassia*
President
RV Dealers Association

 

Ed Klim
President
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association

Jay Landers*
Vice President, Government Affairs
RV Industry Association

Sandi Miller
Vice President Outdoor Recreation
NIC Federal

Kelly Pawlak
President
National Ski Areas Association

Erik Pritchard*
President
Motorcycle Industry Council

Nick Sargent
President
Snowsports Industries America

Mary Ellen Sprenkel*
President
The Corps Network

* – Executive Committee Member