LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Phil Shellhammer, senior director of business incubation in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, has been appointed to the Natural State Initiative Advisory Council by Gov. Sarah Sanders. 

The council is part of the Natural State Initiative, which Sanders announced in January to "further establish the Natural State as a leader in the outdoor economy and a destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world," according to the governor's office. 

"I can't wait to see the impact this council will have on the future of our state," Shellhammer said. "Outdoor recreation is already a major economic force within Arkansas, but the opportunity to help guide the strategy and growth is one I'm proud to support." 

Shellhammer added that the U of A is expanding its efforts in this industry through multiple workstreams like workforce development, research initiatives and entrepreneurial support. 

The council will advise the governor on promoting outdoor recreation and the outdoor economy in Arkansas, according to Talk Business and Politics. The council will also produce an annual report summarizing its progress and stating its recommendations. 

Shellhammer joined U of A in November 2021 to oversee the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program, which supports entrepreneurs in the idea-to-launch stages whose businesses focus on outdoor recreation.

Under Shellhammer's leadership, GORP has assisted more than 100 entrepreneurs through expert consulting, a la carte services and its startup cohort, which provides workshop training, team mentoring and dedicated product/service development to help them scale globally. GORP also provides up to $15,000 in "non-dilutive seed funding" per company in each cohort — funding that doesn't require the owner to give up equity in the company. 

Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with several startups praising GORP for helping launch and expand their businesses. 

"We would be at least three months behind where we are now had we not been a part of this," said Pedro Somarriba, whose company, Lacaida Ropes, launched its product line of metered climbing ropes shortly after finishing the inaugural cohort in Spring 2022.  

Cate Handley, co-founder of Yonder Adventure Company, participated in the Fall 2022 cohort and said GORP helped her company learn "how to tell our story."  

She also praised GORP's access to expert mentors and its weekly workshops, which she said offered an intense learning environment.  

"It's just been an amazing resource to be able to refine our business strategy," Handley said. 

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio, Startup Village, and Greenhouse at the Bentonville Collaborative, OEI provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. A unit of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and Division of Economic Development, OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.