Chris Atkins has worked with corporate and non-profit organizations on the implementation of successful public relations and government affairs strategies, and full-service association management, to secure local/state contracts and/or receiving good favor with the community or respective industry.Chris’ expertise spans several industries, including: agriculture, broadband deployment, education, energy, forestry, public safety, workforce development, and more. He has a strong background in local, state, and federal policy; organizational board management, strategic and proactive planning, risk management, membership growth, facilitation, programming, and fundraising. Chris has helped bring his clients countless opportunities while increasing cohesion and adding value to policies that are set in place for that industry. Chris also has a background in political campaign and public relations that has given him an expertise in development and implementation of media and advertising campaigns, targeted advertising, content management of websites, and development of e-newsletter design.In his role at Alliance Group, Chris served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Forest Products Association (VFPA), the Virginia Grain Producers Association (VGPA), the Virginia Propane Gas Association (VAPGA), the Virginia Public Safety Foundation (VPSF) as well as Deputy Director of the Virginia Rural Broadband Coalition. Chris is a graduate of Virginia Tech and the ELP, CTP, & PLP programs of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership.