Outdoor Recreation
From the invention of windshield wipers to the Saturn V rocket that put man on the moon, Alabama is rooted in innovation. Innovate Alabama is harnessing this ingenuity to prepare the state for the economy of the future. For the past several years, public and private leaders have come together to advance innovation and technology through public policy, focusing on talent recruitment and retention, economic development and entrepreneurship.
To foster a robust, inclusive economy and drive Alabama forward, Innovate Alabama joined forces with Alabama native Condoleezza Rice and Stanford University’s Hoover Institution to conduct extensive research to help us grow smart. A primary takeaway from this research was the opportunity to leverage Alabama’s natural resources to help innovators grow roots here, thus the Innovate Alabama Council on Outdoor Recreation was formed.
Council on Outdoor Recreation

Expand Alabama’s outdoor recreation industry

Enhance the state’s attractiveness for a skilled workforce

Yield substantial returns for both rural and urban communities
The Council on Outdoor Recreation and its advisory roundtable seek to expand, promote and protect Alabama’s outdoor recreational assets for the enjoyment of current and future Alabamians. The council will also provide recommendations for the utilization of those assets as innovative economic development tools.
Council Leadership

Commissioner Chris Blankenship
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Council Chair)

Bill Poole
Chair, Innovate Alabama Board of Directors

Peter Inge
Private Sector Representative, CFO, NXTsoft

Darrell Ezell
Private Sector Representative, Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion, HudsonAlpha
Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable

Recommend how to expand, promote and protect Alabama’s outdoor recreational assets

Identify creative ways to utilize Alabama’s outdoor recreational assets to enhance Alabamians’ quality of life

Organize outdoor recreational assets into sectors and provide strategies to achieve the goals of the Council on Outdoor Recreation
Advisory Roundtable Members
Amy Rauworth
Chief of Development and Strategic Partnerships
Sen. Andrew Jones
District 10
Chris Oberholster
Development Director
Emile Hughes
Co-Founder
Fred Couch Jr.
Alabama Scenic River Trails
Founder
Graham Sisson
Chairman
Mayor Jack Tibbs
John Kvach
Executive Director
Kellie Clark
CEO
Kruis Retherford
President
Rep. Kyle South
District 16
Michael Norman
Store Manager
Phillip West
Coastal Resources Manager
Preston Cauthen
Community Relations Manager
Rick Oates
State Forester
Rusha Smith
Executive Director
Themika Sims
Director
Tim Wood
General Manager
Tim Lindblom
Dean
Contact Us
We encourage you to share your questions, comments, or ideas with us here.