Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT) Secretary Stacy Hurst named Katherine Andrews the first director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation.
In addition, Hurst released the 10 appointees to the new Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Advisory Board.
The Office of Outdoor Recreation is tasked with leading the state’s efforts to grow the outdoor recreation economy, work with partners toward improved health outcomes and promote awareness of the complete range of recreational experiences the state has to offer.
“The Office of Outdoor Recreation provides critically needed support as we look to leverage our recreational assets in Arkansas and grow the state’s economy and tourism value,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “Katherine is a native Arkansan and an avid participant in outdoor recreation herself. These qualities combined with her experience in small business and entrepreneurship development make her a natural fit for this job.”
The Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Advisory Board will inform the office’s work advancing the state’s outdoor recreation economy. Appointees are:
- George Dunklin of Humphrey
- Mike Mills of Ponca
- Ernie Lechuga of Springdale
- Will Montgomery of Little Rock
- Susan Peacock of Rogers
- Bill Barnes of Mt. Ida
- Steve Straessle of Little Rock
- Clint Gaston of Lakeview
- Amanda Herget of Jonesboro
- Robin McClendon of Monticello
“We have seen substantial increased visitation to Arkansas’s parks and public lands during the pandemic, underscoring the value of our natural assets,” Hurst said. “I look forward to working with Katherine to establish the Office of Outdoor Recreation as a resource to enhance the state’s economy in ways that will help attract businesses and families as well as enhance the livability of our communities across the state.”
Andrews has been at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission since 2016, serving first as a project manager, then as the director of small business and entrepreneurship development. Andrews will begin serving as director on Nov. 29.
The date for the initial meeting of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Board has not yet been set.
