Outdoor Recreation Roundtable announced that Jessica Turner will be ending her time as President on Nov. 6 to lead as President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. The Board of Directors has named Whitney Potter Schwartz, ORR’s current Senior Vice President, as Interim President beginning Nov. 9. Turner will remain with the organization through this transition period.
ORR works to ensure the recognition of the recreation sector’s contributions for a resilient and sustainable future. The organization’s work acts on the most pressing issues facing the future of outdoor recreation and fosters infrastructure innovation and modernization to support a 21st-century economy. ORR has undergone tremendous growth and expansion, including securing landmark federal legislation through the Great American Outdoors Act and EXPLORE Act, and launching the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Association.
“I am excited to begin my tenure as Interim President of this incredible organization and continue our great work building a sustainable future for the outdoor recreation economy and community,” ORR Senior Vice President Whitney Potter Schwartz said. “Jessica has been a valued leader and foundational in ORR’s success and growth. Over my three years at ORR, I am proud to have worked alongside her to grow the recreation economy and look forward to continuing our collaboration in her work with TRCP.”
“Over the last eight years, I am proud to have led ORR from its inception to the leading, nationally recognized voice for the entire outdoor recreation economy. This is a special community and has been the honor of a lifetime to represent our wonderful members and the impact outdoor recreation can have on Americans. I am thankful for the trust and support from our Board, member associations, and partners who have enabled me to make such a positive impact,” ORR President Jessica Turner said. “I have tremendous faith in Whitney and the team and wish her and ORR continued success.”
“Whitney’s work with ORR has proved that she is a skilled leader with the deep commitment and passionate dedication required to continue to drive ORR’s mission and goals forward. Her incoming leadership has the full endorsement of the Board, and we congratulate her in this new position,” ORR Board Chair Glenn Hughes said. “On behalf of the ORR Board of Directors, I want to thank Jessica for an incredible eight years of leadership at ORR. Her accomplishments, both legislatively and within this community, have transformed ORR from an idea into a pillar for the entire outdoor recreation industry. I look forward to continuing to partner with Jessica in her new role at TRCP.”
