Illuminate the Outdoor Economy

Silas Chamberlin, PhD, has a 15-year career that has spanned economic development and conservation. He is Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Economic Development at the York County Economic Alliance and previously served as CEO of Downtown Inc, executive director of the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area, and in regional leadership roles with Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

In 2020, Silas was appointed by Governor Wolf to the Pennsylvania Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council, and he has served as chair of the council since 2023. Silas serves on the national board of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and serves as chair of the ACCE’s economic development division. He is an executive committee member of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s board of directors and past chair of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council’s board of directors.

Silas holds a PhD in environmental history from Lehigh University and his book, On the Trail: A History of American Hiking was published by Yale University Press in 2016. Silas’ research on rail trails has been published by Landscape Architecture Magazine and other national publications. In 2015, Silas received a state trail advocacy award from American Trails, for his work to advance trails in Pennsylvania.

He recently received national recognition as a 40 Under 40 honoree by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Silas was a 2019 York Federal Fellow through the White Rose Leadership Institute, during which he earned a certificate in commercial real estate from Cornell University.

Silas has no hobbies. Aside from trails, reading, and work.