Join the American Conservation Coalition for candid chats with all sorts of influential conservationists, from scientists and researchers to sportsmen, pop culture icons, and young activists, about conserving the planet! No matter where we land on the political spectrum, we’re all about keeping our air, water, and land clean. Coming Clean is wiping away the partisan, generational, and social dirt blocking us from coming together around lasting environmental action!
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Stephen Perkins, Interim Host
Stephen Perkins is a conservative strategist and Chief Operating Officer of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC). He oversees ACC’s national operations and coordinates strategy among its grassroots, grasstops, communications, and administrative departments.
Stephen’s career has centered on community, leadership, and mobilization. One of ACC’s original volunteers, he joined the organization full-time in 2021 as the Vice President of Grassroots Strategy, leading field operations and growing membership to more than 40,000 young Americans. Before joining ACC, he was a partner at a digital marketing firm, assisting more than 50 political and advocacy clients in building successful digital programs over three election cycles. Earlier in his career, he provided marketing, advocacy, and leadership strategy to several political and educational organizations.
Stephen’s work and writing have been featured in publications such as Fox News, The Hill, Real Clear Energy, Townhall, the Washington Examiner, and The Dallas Morning News.
He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, with a concentration in political leadership and civic engagement. A proud Texan, Stephen resides in the Hill Country with his dog, Hudson.
Benji Backer, Host
Benji Backer is the Executive Chairman and Founder of the American Conservation Coalition, the largest right-of-center environmental organization in the country. For his work with the ACC, he has been awarded the Fortune 40 Under 40, Forbes 30 Under 30, GreenBiz 30 Under 30, and Grist 50. He serves as a Board member for the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum and Mainstream Republicans of Washington. A frequent contributor to multiple national media outlets, Benji is one of the leading youth environmental voices in the country.
Benji grew up in Wisconsin and is an avid Wisconsin sports fan. He spends his free time hiking, skiing, and drinking unsweetened iced tea in his current home city of Seattle.
Through ACC, Benji is excited to be uniting Americans on pro-environmental reforms and changing the narrative when it comes to the environment.