Al Perkinson has been an executive in the outdoor industry for the past 20 years.  He is a brand builder and growth agent who believes that social responsibility and great storytelling are keys to building beloved brands.

Al is the founder and CEO of Bajío Sunglasses, based in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  Bajío designs and builds performance sunglasses for anglers and other water enthusiasts. It is a privately held company with a mission to operate sustainably and contribute to addressing environmental issues faced by the world’s oceans. 

Prior to starting Bajío, Al was in senior management roles at Huk Apparel and Simms Fishing Products and owned a consulting practice whose clients included, Orvis, Trout Unlimited, Guy Harvey, and Pure Fishing.  

Al was CMO for Costa Sunglasses for 12 years, where he was responsible for business strategy, brand, marketing, e-commerce, and apparel.  He helped the brand achieve a 20% annual growth rate and a sales price that was the highest multiple ever paid in the industry.   

Al was named by Outdoor Life magazine as one of the 25 most influential people in conservation, received the Lefty Kreh Sportsman of the Year Award from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and was named Angler of the Year by Fly Fisherman magazine.  Al was elected to the Explorer’s Club in New York City and is an active member.  

I first met Al while we were both fishing the Permit Tournaments in Key West back in 2016.  Al’s willingness to think outside the box, commitment to the resources we are lucky enough to work in and on, and entrepreneurial spirit & vision are all traits that I have tremendous respect for.  I look forward to diving deeper into Al’s story today and hearing more about his wild ride with Bajio that he had been on since launching the company in 2021.  Without further adieu please welcome Al Perkinson to the show.