Chris Willard
About Chris Willard
Chris Willard serves as the General Manager of Outdoors at PayIt, bringing extensive experience in natural resource management and a strong background in recruitment and retention strategies. He has held various leadership roles in organizations such as Sovereign Sportsman Solutions and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Work at PayIt
Chris Willard currently serves as the General Manager, Outdoors at PayIt, a position he has held since 2024. In this role, he focuses on integrating outdoor recreation initiatives within the company's broader mission. Previously, he worked as the Chief Customer Officer for PayIt Outdoors from 2023 to 2024, where he was responsible for customer engagement and service delivery in outdoor programs.
Education and Expertise
Chris Willard earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University, where he studied from 1988 to 1994. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business Administration and Marketing Management, which he completed from 2002 to 2004 at the same institution. His academic background supports his extensive experience in natural resource management and business principles applied to conservation.
Background
Chris Willard has a diverse professional background in natural resource management and conservation. He has held various roles at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, including Statewide Hunter Education Program Administrator, Education Services Manager, and R3 Coordinator. His work has focused on recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts in outdoor activities, establishing him as a national leader in this area.
Previous Experience at Sovereign Sportsman Solutions
Before joining PayIt, Chris Willard worked at Sovereign Sportsman Solutions in multiple leadership roles. He served as Chief Operating Officer from 2021 to 2023 and as Vice President of Fish & Wildlife Solutions from 2020 to 2021. His tenure at Sovereign Sportsman Solutions involved strategic oversight and the development of solutions for fish and wildlife management.
Achievements in Recruitment and Conservation
Chris Willard is recognized as a national leader in Recruitment, Retention, and Re-activation (R3) initiatives. He has built a broad national network of supporters across government, industry, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). His demonstrated ability to lead teams and develop collaborative action plans has contributed to advancing conservation efforts and engaging diverse stakeholder groups.