SUMMARY: Tyler’s outdoor advocacy practice draws on his 15 years of both business law experience and non-profit work and incorporates elements of consulting, event planning, marketing, and other services. His unique multi-disciplinary skill-set together with a JD/MBA perfectly aligns with the multi-faceted nature of the outdoor industry. Tyler provides practical solutions to business problems and seeks to accelerate the principles of the outdoor economy with the business and trail communities from New Hampshire and beyond.

BACKGROUND: Founder & Principal Tyler Ray, a native of Bridgton, Maine, offers a unique north country skill-set combining his skills as a business attorney, MBA, public speaker, marketing guru and athlete, to form Backyard Concept. Tyler maintains a steadfast belief that there are others who want to live an experience-driven lifestyle but either don’t know how to go about it or are afraid to take the leap for fear of the unknown. Part of the movement is generating awareness!

EXPERIENCE: Tyler has worked in a variety of occupations, from the U.S. Senate in Washington, DC, to in-house counsel for a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and as corporate attorney in private practice outside of Boston as well as North Conway, NH. Tyler has also served on several volunteer boards, namely Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, and Granite Backcountry Alliance, the latter of which Tyler was the founder.

ACTIVITIES: Tyler is an avid backcountry skier, trail runner, mountain biker and Ironman triathlete, but equally enjoys time in the canoe, tapping his sugar maple trees, landscaping, and enjoying the sauna (to celebrate his Finnish heritage!). And, of course, treasure-hunting at yard sales, a family pastime.

AWARDS / COMMITTEES / ASSOCIATIONS:
- 2022 Division of Travel and Tourism Development: Tourism Strategy Stakeholder Task Force
- 2022 Keynote speaker at MWV Careers & Technical Center Advisory Program
- 2021 Earned Outdoor Business Industry Certificate from Outdoor Industry Association
- 2021 Speaker, Outdoor Economy Conference, regarding “Community Spark”
- 2021 Appointed to BEA advisory committee for Visit NH & Leave No Trace partnership
- 2021 & 2022 Appointed to hiring committee for Director of Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development
- 2020 Created & co-developed SKI KIND, a nationwide backcountry code of conduct ( NY Times & Tahoe)
- 2020, 2021 & 2022 Northeastern States Research Cooperative External Advisory Committee
- 2020 Founder of Granite Outdoor Alliance
- 2019 Authored article about GBA in Backcountry Magazine
- 2019 NH Magazine “IT” list selection
- 2018 NH Business & Economic Affairs State Outdoor Director Steering Committee
- 2017-18 NH Mount Washington Valley Economic Council: Finance Committee
- 2015-2017 Board Member, Upper Saco Valley Land Trust
- 2016 - Founder of Granite Backcountry Alliance
- 2012-2015 New England Super Lawyers “Rising Star”
- 2014-15 Mount Washington Valley Leadership Program Graduate
- 2013 “40 under Forty” Selection in Providence, Rhode Island
- 2005-2014 Secretary and Board Member of Farm Fresh Rhode Island

EDUCATION: Tyler obtained his undergraduate degree from Hobart College majoring in Political Science/minor American Studies. He attended law school at Roger Williams University School of Law and secured his MBA from Bryant University School of Business.

LAW: Tyler is licensed to practice law in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

BRAND AMBASSADOR: Tyler is a brand ambassador for DPS SKIS, STIO, and REVO Sunglasses.

FAMILY. Tyler lives in North Conway, New Hampshire, with his wife Anne (native of Farmington, Maine), and two children, Nelson (8) and Levi (6).

After spending four years in Boston, Sam made the move up north to live, work, and play in the Whites. She implements thoughtful marketing and communication strategies to tell Backyard Concept’s story, and helps create meaningful experiences for the people, communities, and organizations it serves. 

A native New Englander, Sam is all about being outside, whether she’s skiing, running, hiking, biking, or just sipping a beer by the campfire. Sam is passionate about finding innovative solutions to help make the outdoors more accessible while building healthy communities that sustainably leverage the outdoor industry for economic development.