Tom Dempsey, president of Brevard-based SylvanSport, was a driving force behind the campaign to establish the position, according to a press release from the company, working with several other outdoor gear manufacturers to submit a proposal. SylvanSport is a recreational vehicle manufacture whose products include the award-winning GO Camping Trailer.

“Growing the outdoor recreation economy in North Carolina has been a passion of mine for 20 years,” says Dempsey. “North Carolina is truly a leader in this space, and it is gratifying to see our state’s leadership in this regard. Many thanks to the other industry leaders and to Senator Rick Gunn of Alamance County for joining me in making this happen!”

Outdoor recreation is a $19.2 billion industry in North Carolina, providing 192,000 jobs — a figure that is steadily growing.