Patrick Berry
Throughout his varied professional career, Berry has amassed a distinctive suite of skills and experience an inspiring and transformative leader, conservation advocate, skilled fundraiser, government relations professional, and effective nonprofit and agency manager. He is regarded as a colleague who values collaboration and partnership, and brings an infectious enthusiasm to his work.
In his most recent position as the President and CEO of Fly Fishers International, Berry led efforts to develop an array of successful fundraising programs, overhaul membership strategies, create engaging and contemporary education programs, and launch a dynamic rebranding initiative. As the former Commissioner of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Berry managed 130 full time employees, directed critical conservation initiatives, and has been widely credited for modernizing and financially stabilizing the Department. Among other notable achievements while in this leadership role, Berry spearheaded a successful campaign to declare fish and wildlife as public trust resources.
Berry has also previously served as Vice President at the Vermont Community Foundation, Director of Environmental Advancement and Governmental Affairs at Vermont Law School, and in other professional roles focused on conservation, government relations, and development. Early in his career, Berry spent almost 10 years as a fishing guide in the Northern Rockies while also working as an outdoor writer, commercial fly tyer, and artist.
Berry holds an undergraduate degree from Middlebury College and has completed extensive Master’s Degree work in Environmental Science from the University of Montana. He is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast with a passion for hunting, fishing, and a variety of other outdoor pursuits. Berry currently lives in Vermont with his wife Brooke and has two grown sons Quinn and Willem. He shares his house with 5 spaniels he trains for hunting and field trials, has restored two historic homes, and when time allows, plays guitar and banjo in a local band.