Perk Perkins

Perk Perkins has led Orvis as CEO since November 1992. Under his guidance, the company has grown from $88 million in sales in 1992 to nearly $280 million in 2009. The company simultaneously refined its brand and product line while expanding its sales channels and services business and in so doing has come to be recognized as one of the most respected lifestyle brands in America, earning the industry's highest awards in both catalog and Internet marketing.

Perk began work at Orvis in 1977 as a Catalog Copywriter. He has since held many other positions that have allowed him to experience the company first-hand, including managing export sales; opening and managing the company’s first remote store in San Francisco; President of Orvis UK; Vice President of Operations; President of Early Winters, an Orvis subsidiary; Vice President, Merchandising; President, Orvis Mail Order; and President and CEO of The Orvis Company.

Perk is an avid and accomplished fly fisherman, wingshooter, canoeist, cross-country skier, and bird watcher. He has led Orvis’s renowned support of conservation (5% of pretax profits) with the mantra “If we are going to benefit from our natural resources, we must be willing to take action to protect them.” For the last 25 years, he has served on numerous corporate, conservation and civic boards.

Currently he is a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy of Montana (formerly serving 9 years on TNC’s Worldwide Board holding Vice Chair position), Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Trout Unlimited’s Coldwater Conservation Fund, Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, Advisory Council, and the Nature Conservancy Caribbean Program.

Perk graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts in 1975 and has completed Harvard University's Executive Management Program.