Heidi Lyn Rao was hired by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 1998 and has recruited, trained, and retained volunteers, as the Hunter Education Specialist for Southeast Texas. In 2010 she also assumed the role as statewide Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Coordinator.

During her TPWD career, she developed many partnerships and organized many education & outreach events. She started “Take Me Outdoors Houston” in 2009, when the Texas Wildlife Expo ended, and brings this annual family-friendly, free, hands-on outdoor event to Discovery Green, Downtown Houston. She hosts wildlife workshops ranging from alligators to big game. She promotes hunting and outdoor safety to groups ranging from elementary school aged to flying offshore via helicopter to speak to oil and gas employees in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on a platform. From teaching firearm safety to Rodeo Clowns during the Houston Rodeo, to hosting Hunter Education classes at the Sam Houston (horse) Raceway, conducting National Archery in the Schools Program and Student Air Rifle certifications, and partnering with many hunting, shooting and conservation organizations across Texas.

She has coordinated twenty-seven statewide BOW workshops across Texas, including the first-ever VIRTUAL BOW in 2020. She has reached over 7,000 Ladies who have attended BOW and continued their outdoors skills ultimately becoming hunters, anglers, and archers, especially through mentored BOW hunts. To date, 10 Texas Outdoor Women Network (TOWN) groups have launched across the state because of the statewide BOW.

She received IHEA’s Professional of the Year; IHEA’s Executive Director’s Award; TPWD’s Terry Erwin Hunter Education LEGACY award, Houston Safari Club Educator of the Year and she is also in the Texas Hunter Education Halls of Fame.

She and her (now retired) TPWD Game Warden husband of 25 yrs., John, have 4 boys: Dominic is 21 and works for Laser Shot Simulations in Houston; Matthew is 20 and is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas with a 4.0 and on his way to be a large animal vet; JohnJohn is 17 and is a Junior; and Luke is 14 and is in 8th grade. The Rao’s are avid hunters and enjoy camping, trapping, and the shooting sports together.


WEBSITE: https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/hunter-education

SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/tpwdoutdoorwoman

Chris Dorsey has been called the 'brand-father' of outdoor television having helped create and launch almost 60 series in the outdoor genre and an equal number of series in mainstream television, including for such networks as ABC, Discovery Channel, History Channel, HGTV, Travel, DIY, ESPN, WGN America, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Destination America, Oxygen, and all the outdoor networks.

Dorsey formerly served as editor in chief of Sports Afield and Ducks Unlimited magazines, is the author of twelve books, and is a regular contributor to Forbes. His work also has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Newsweek, and The Robb Report. He is among the world's most widely traveled hunters having taken the twenty-nine big game species of North America, the deadly seven species of Africa, the spiral horns of Africa and the wild turkey world slam. He is a member of the Outdoor Legends Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Ray Scott Trailblazer Award as well as the Curt Gowdy Memorial Award.

Dorsey has also served in board and advisory positions of numerous conservation and sporting advocacy organizations. Chris is the producer and host of Sporting Classics with Chris Dorsey television show airing on Outdoor Channel, CarbonTV, Waypoint TV, Outdoor America, and Wild Television Network.

Bill Stransky is the Executive Director of The Texas Rice Industry Coalition for the Environment (R.I.C.E.). The Texas Rice Industry Coalition for the Environment (R.I.C.E.) was formed in February 1995. Their mission is to build a coalition of interests to foster and strengthen relationships between the rice industry and the natural resources of our rice-producing area in Texas.

R.I.C.E. has created, enhanced, and/or restored an estimated 15,000 acres of wetland habitat and an additional 20,000 acres of native prairie. This includes work on all of the national wildlife refuges located on the upper and middle Texas coast as well as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). R.I.C.E. has also worked extensively on private lands including establishing perpetual conservation easements on 4 ranches.

Scott Leysath, better known as “The Sporting Chef,” has spent a lifetime developing his own brand of fish and game cooking mastery. As someone whose passion and profession are one in the same, Chef Leysath is undoubtedly among the best in the business. He’s a “regular” guy, not a classically trained chef, who sincerely wants anything with fur, fins and feathers taste as good as it gets.

Leysath cut his culinary teeth in the food and beverage industry. From bouncer to vice-president, he worked his way up the corporate ladder of a 34-unit Western U.S. chain before starting his own restaurant co-venture near Sacramento, California. His menu included a variety of fish and game. The restaurant hosted fish and game feeds, inviting customers to sample locally harvested deer, waterfowl, upland game and fish. His catering company also prepared banquet meals for Northern California sporting groups like Ducks Unlimited and California Waterfowl Association.

Someone took notice of Leysath’s engaging style of sharing his cooking skills and invited him to work on both sides of the camera on HGTV’s “Home Grown Cooking with Paul James.” He spent the next few years developing over 180 show themes as well as appearing as a frequent guest. In 2002, he launched his first TV show, the original “Sporting Chef” and eventually joined forces with veteran outdoor host, Donny McElvoy, on the “HuntFishCook” show on Sportsman Channel. January 2014 marked the revival of “The Sporting Chef” show, but with a very different format that includes a broad range of pro chefs, lodge cooks and others who share their tips on how to prepare fish and game as well as general knowledge topics for outdoor enthusiasts. The show has been called, “the fastest half-hour on outdoor television” with quick segments that range from one to three minutes long. If you walk away from your TV during “The Sporting Chef”, you’re going to miss something of interest.

Scott is also the host and producer of the Dead Meat TV show on Outdoor and Sportsman channels. The show features less sought-after fish and game and the people who hunt, fish, trap, spear and catch them. Says Leysath, “It’s as much about the people and cultures as it is about the food. Who knew that armadillo tastes like pork? And that they can transmit leprosy to humans?” In 2021, Leysath’s Sporting Chef Productions and partner 4Mile Post Productions launched The Fishmonger show on Outdoor Channel. It’s about the challenges and lifestyles of the American commercial fishing industry.

Scott Leysath is not a “foodie” who is on top of the latest food trend. His goal is not to out-chef anyone, but rather to inspire home cooks with simple solutions to everyday fish and game cooking challenges. In his latest cookbook, “The Sporting Chef’s Better Venison Recipes,” he writes “Recipes that are simple to prepare, don’t require a long list of obscure ingredients and, most important, taste really good will be in use long after herbal foams have evaporated. Molecular gastronomy is interesting, but I’d rather go fishing.”

Leysath travels the globe, making personal appearances at outdoor shows, trade shows and corporate events. He entertains audiences with what the calls “short attention span cooking”, throwing fish and game into a skillet in blazing speed. He has been the cooking columnist for the Ducks Unlimited Magazine since 2007 and Hunter’s Horn since 2016. He has also contributed to several other outdoor publications for over 20 years. He lives in Northern California with his wife and two setters. He’s an avid hunter and angler who prefers a homecooked meal over high-dollar fine dining fare.

Modest by nature, Scott Leysath has developed a cult-like following over three decades of recipe development, public appearances, cooking columns and television hosting. If you are not part of the world of outdoor enthusiasts, he might possibly be the best chef you’ve never heard of. To those who hunt and fish, he’s “The Sporting Chef.”

Mike Jaster is the Vice President of Athena Gun Club. Mike has been with the company since its inception and has been involved with everything from retail sales, procurement, LE sales, vendor relations, and now managing all daily operations. Mike is also a full-time firefighter/paramedic at one of the local fire departments. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife Cheri, and three children, Gracie, Zachary, and Nolan.

Steve Hall grew up in Denver, CO and graduated with a B. S. degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University in 1981. Since then, he has served as American Sportsman's Club Colorado Services Manager, Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) Education/Outreach Director, Texas State Rifle Association Executive Director, International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)-USA Executive Director and currently serves as the TPWD Hunter Education Coordinator.

During his TPWD career, he initiated or helped develop many education & outreach programs (e.g. Mandatory Hunter Education, Outdoor Woman, Aquatic & Boater Education, Parrie Haynes Youth Ranch, Texas Youth Hunting Program Partnership, 4-H Shooting Sports and Sport Fishing Partnership, TX Archery-in-Schools, TX Student Air Rifle Program, Target Range Grants, Fly Fishing and Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo). He teaches for the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow national program and has been inducted into the IHEA & Texas Hunter Education Halls of Fame. Steve also was honored nationally by the Aquatic Resource Education Association. Steve is an avid bow hunter and fly fisherman and continues to volunteer to teach in many outdoor education programs.

Dante "Dan" Pastorini reached legendary status in the 1970s as the dashing young quarterback of the Houston Oilers. Selected No. 3 overall in the 1971 NFL Draft out of the University of Santa Clara in California, Pastorini arrived in Houston with the expectation he could rescue the moribund team and take them to the top of the league. It didn't take long for Houstonians to truly embrace Pastorini, and with salt-of-the-earth head coach Bum Phillips and colorful teammates like Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Elvin Bethea and Earl Campbell, the memorable "Luv Ya Blue" era was born. Before long, the entire country was shaking Columbia Blue pom-poms for the Oilers and Pastorini's legacy -- bolstered by a record-setting role in the 1974 Pro Bowl -- was cemented in place.

After his playing years were over, Pastorini remained in the embrace of his adopted hometown and with an "Official Texan" decree signed by the governor himself, Pastorini laid down roots in the energy capital of the world. Immediately after his 13-year NFL career concluded, Pastorini stayed in sports by piloting a variety of racecars and boats, winning events and setting records along the way on both land and water.

Always anxious to give back to the city that still reveres him, Pastorini has supported countless charities throughout the years, none more so than the Be An Angel Foundation, which helps profoundly deaf children and families supporting multiple children with disabilities. Pastorini currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the well-respected entity.

Pastorini also progressed in the business world, owning and operating DP Quality Foods, working as a consultant for human resources giant Insperity, serving as a Senior Account Manager for DataWorks Plus and filling the role of COO at Turbine Metal Technology.

Through the years, Pastorini helped with the marketing efforts of industry leaders like Seagram's Spirits, the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association, Lamborghini Motorcars, Coors Light, Mopar Performance, Kendall Oil and Champion Spark Plugs. More recently, Pastorini was inducted into the Houston Sports Authority Hall of Fame alongside fellow honorees George Foreman, A.J. Foyt and Jackie Burke. Pastorini also is enshrined in the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, the Impact A Hero Hall of Fame and is one of Mike Ditka's Gridiron Greats. In 2019, the prestigious Houston Touchdown Club named Pastorini "Touchdowner of the Year." In 2020 he is selected for the East West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame in Tampa, FL. A veteran of football broadcasting, both in radio and television, Pastorini remains in the spotlight to this day, living in the shadow of downtown Houston.

Brian Gilroy, Co-Founder/CEO, Wildlife Partners

Brian was raised in Texas and grew up with a love of the outdoors. During his first career, he spent almost 20 years in the oil and gas industry. His primary focus was financial services related to the oil and gas exploration business. He spent the majority of his time managing investments for high-net-worth investors. In 2002, he founded an oil and gas exploration company and placed approximately $100,000,000 of investment capital in various exploration projects across the United States.

In 2011, Brian began investing in the exotic wildlife industry. As a result, he co-founded Wildlife Partners in April of 2016. As an entrepreneur, hunter and conservationist, his love for wildlife has led Brian to create an innovative model that marries wildlife conservation with capitalism. Wildlife Partners is today the largest breeder of exotic wildlife in the United States. The company has amassed more than 10,000 acres and is breeding 60 species with more than 3000 animals.

Will Morgan is the Marketing Director for Outdoor Edge Knives & Tools. Upon graduation in 2007, Will moved to Steamboat Springs, CO where he began working as a manager of outdoor recreation for a shared ranch community. His responsibilities included overseeing mountain biking, Nordic skiing and fly-fishing operations until the fall of 2012. He then moved to Eagle, CO where he began his professional career in marketing with UrgeMedia. While there, he advanced quickly to become the Director of Producer Relations where he managed twenty-five multi-faceted marketing strategies across television, social and digital media. In the spring of 2020 he came on board with Outdoor Edge as their Marketing Director.

Chris Dorsey has been called the 'brand father' of outdoor television having helped create and launch 56 series across numerous national outdoor networks through his company Dorsey Pictures founded 20 years ago. He's also created nearly an equal number of popular mainstream television series and specials on scores of networks including History Channel, Discovery, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, HGTV, DIY, Travel, Oxygen, ESPN, NBC Sports, Oxygen, Spike and many others. He's also hosted nearly 400 episodes of outdoor programs--including Sporting Classics with Chris Dorsey currently airing on the Outdoor Channel--and is among the world's most widely traveled hunters having taken all 29 North American big game species, the Deadly Seven of Africa, the spiral horns of Africa and the turkey World Slam.

He's the author of 12 books on outdoor and natural history subjects and his work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Newsweek, The Robb Report and most of the outdoor periodicals in the English-speaking world.

He’s also a columnist for Forbes, covering a wide range of topics including politics, public policy, conservation, and the outdoor industry. He previously served as editor-in-chief of Sports Afield and Ducks Unlimited magazines.

He was inducted into the Outdoor Legends Hall of Fame in 2021, and he's also served on numerous boards and advisory positions throughout the outdoor industry always with an eye for showcasing to the masses the important role that hunters and anglers play in supporting conservation. As such, he's a recipient of the Curt Gowdy Memorial Award from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and the Ray Scott Trailblazer Award from the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.

Native Texan Mike Arnold is a research scientist and outdoor writer with more than 140 published articles, including feature pieces in such magazines as Sports Afield (two articles in Sep/Oct 2021 issue), Hunter’s Horn, Safari Magazine, and African Hunting Gazette. Mike's forthcoming TEDx talk launches on September 26, 2021. He’s currently at work on a book titled Bringing Back The Lions: International Hunters, Local Tribespeople, and the Miraculous Rescue of a Doomed African Ecosystem.

The hunter’s horn blew early for Mike. Taking his first whitetail near San Saba while hunting with his father at the age of five was a transformative experience. From that time forward, Mike has spent months each year pursuing game animals – from quail and rabbits behind his parents’ house, to kudu and leopard in Africa.

Mike combines his love of writing, science, and hunting to record his adventures. He often covers the role hunters and their organizations play in ecosystem restoration and conservation. He has produced a series of articles on key stakeholders highlighting how sport hunting leads to the conservation of habitats and wildlife. Mike’s upcoming TEDx talk and book both cover this topic as well. To learn more about Mike visit https://arnoldoutdoorwriter.com.

Bryan Koontz is founder and CEO of Guidefitter, an advocate for the pro guiding industry and marketing platform for 350+ brands in the outdoor industry. Bryan grew up on the east coast in rural Maryland and Pennsylvania in a family steeped in the hunting and fishing tradition, graduated from MIT with an engineering master's degree and has spent his career starting and building software and internet marketing companies.

After living in Austin, Texas for 20 years, Bryan recently moved to Bozeman, Montana when he established the headquarters for Guidefitter there, and enjoys hunting, fly fishing, photography, and spending time with his family and yellow lab, Pearl.

In this episode, we speak with Bryan Koontz, founder and CEO of Guidefitter, an advocate for the pro guiding industry and marketing platform for 350+ brands in the outdoor industry, including brands like Swarovski Optik, Leica, Zeiss, First Lite apparel, Mystery Ranch packs, Kenetrek boots, Polaris RANGER and Weatherby. Guidefitter is based in Bozeman, Montana.

Bryan talks briefly about how he came to start Guidefitter, the finer differences between Texas and Montana BBQ, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the outdoor industry, what it means to be a true "influencer," big tech's ongoing exclusionary position with respect to the hunting and fishing industry, and why pro purchase programs have historically been the "dirty little secret" in the outdoor industry and how they are now undergoing a major transformation.

Jim is the most recent past President and CEO of Outdoor Sportsman Group, the worldwide leader in outdoor lifestyle television, magazine and web-based programming.

Jim is also a writer and producer and the founder of Harvest Home Films of Denver, Colorado. Harvest Home Films is producing the film, The Harvest, which is in development. The Harvest is a Pro-God, Pro-Family, Pro-Outdoor Christian film set for release at the end or 2021 or 2022.

Jim is passionate about Christ and our role as believers in this lost world.

Derek Ham is an accomplished businessman with a passion for the outdoors, hunting and conservation. He is especially passionate about getting kids and others involved in hunting and guiding them to understand the link and truth between hunting and conservation. He began his first career in Los Angeles working in the music industry. He later moved back to Texas in support of his family and pursued a career in Commercial Construction. Ultimately, his passion for the outdoors led him to Farm and Ranch Real Estate where he currently represents Ruple Ranch & Land.

Derek’s passion for the outdoors was fostered as a young boy by his father who grew up on the famed LX Cattle Ranch in the Texas panhandle. His father set the groundwork for his love of hunting and fishing. Derek has been an avid hunter and conservationist for the majority of his life traveling around the world hunting both unique and more traditional game alike. His most notable hunting accomplishment was being dropped by float plane in Alaska for a week for a self-guided hunt where he harvested the Number 11 all-time Pope & Young Moose with his recurve bow. Among other countries, he has also been a successful hunter in New Zealand, Spain, Greenland and Newfoundland. But, of course, he has and does most prominently hunt in our great state of Texas.

Derek is a Lifetime member of Houston Safari Club Foundation, a member of the HSCF Board of Directors, and previously chaired the HSCF Annual Sporting Clays Tournament for two years. Prior to his time at HSCF, he chaired the Adventures program for Sky High for Kids where he organized and executed hunts for pediatric cancer patients for over five years. Derek is also a member of TDA, RMEF, NWTF, TTHA, NRA, Sportsman’s Alliance, and Quail Coalition. Derek shares his passion for hunting with his wife Jeni and daughter Sydney. Both of whom have traveled with him on his hunting adventures. He takes care to demonstrate his concern for a healthy wildlife population and ensure that the hunt is more than the harvesting of game but, more importantly, it’s about the experience.

Hector Villarreal serves as CEO of LUCHO Holdings Inc., a privately-owned holding company with interests in Brazil, Italy and Nicaragua; formed in 2003 to manage the production and importation of the LUCHO branded products in menswear, women’s shoe and private cigar line.

Born in Monterey, Mexico Mr. Villarreal later moved and was raised in Los Angeles, California until moving back to Monterrey where he attended Monterrey Tec prep school and college. Mr. Villarreal moved to Houston in 1990 and joined KXLN Channel 45 Univision as a news anchor and later as the weather anchor until retiring in 2005. In 2006 he was a founding member of Venture Strategies, a boutique private equity firm, specializing in cutting edge technology projects in the energy sector; Mr. Villarreal headed the international development department.

Mr. Villarreal has received numerous recognitions and has served on the board of directors of Houston International Festival, American Cancer Society Gulf Coast Development board, Leukemia and lymphoma Society, Theater Under the Stars, Boys & Girls Harbor, and The Women’s Fund for Health. Currently Mr. Villarreal serves as board president of Helping a Hero; an organization that builds adaptive homes for wounded veterans, Hermann Park Conservancy advisory board member, Virtuosi of Houston board member, Fire Fighters Foundation of Houston board member and the Houston Area Women’s Center.

Kirk Evans is the President of U.S. LawShield, a national firearms legal defense program with over 700,000 members.

Kirk has practiced law in Texas for over twenty years and has concentrated most of his work on complex civil litigation and constitutional issues. He has represented gun owners, instructors, ranges and law enforcement. Kirk has authored several firearms legal publications, including “Texas Gun Law: Armed and Educated.”

Kirk is a graduate with honors from Texas A&M University and attended law school at the University of Houston where he graduated as editor of the Law Review. Kirk was recognized as a “Rising Star” in the legal profession by the Texas Monthly publication Super Lawyers.

Kirk frequently speaks on civil liability associated with gun ownership, including the FBI CAAA Active Shooter Seminar, the NRA Foundation Banquet and similar organizations. Kirk serves as a firearms media source, including appearances with Fox News, Yahoo Sports, and scores of national TV and radio interviews.

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Emily Taylor is an Independent Program Attorney for U.S. LawShield. Emily received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville, Tennessee in 2012. Prior to law school, she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Anthropology and Psychology from Vanderbilt University.

A native Texan, Emily returned from Tennessee to intern with the Harris County District Attorney’s office and, after graduation from law school, was sworn in as an Assistant District Attorney for Galveston County, Texas. As an Assistant District Attorney she took a broad range of felony and misdemeanor cases to trial in front of judges and juries, and was responsible for grand jury presentations, motions and hearings, and plea negotiations.

She provides an insider’s perspective into the Texas criminal justice system, particularly into cases involving gun owners and claims of self-defense.

Eric Miller is the Centerfire Rifle and Component Product Manager for Federal and Speer Ammunition. He was born in southern Minnesota, has lived in various locations across the country, and currently resides in Hugo, MN. Eric grew up hunting and fishing with his dad which ignited his passion for the outdoors and led to his career in the industry. For a couple of years, he lived in Africa before returning to the U.S. to work in the retail sector of the firearms industry. Eric has worked in the industry for the last 24 years.

The majority of Eric’s hunting experiences have occurred in the Midwest, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas but he has also been fortunate to hunt out west for elk and deer as well as Newfoundland, Northwest Territory, Yukon, and Alaska. He has experienced several DIY moose hunts in Alaska which he counts among some of his most favorite and memorable hunts. He is currently training a new British Lab puppy for the upcoming bird season.

Jody Simpson began her participation with HSCF in 1980. She became a lifetime member in 2013 and at that timed joined the Gazelle’s Committee. She has donated to the Gazelle’s silent auction, been a Gazelle’s Luncheon Sponsor, and served as the Gazelle’s Luncheon Co-Chairman since 2017. Jody and the Simpson family have supported and hosted Gazelle’s Retreats for 2018 and 2019 in effort to promote the involvement of women in the outdoors and hunting. In addition to her work with HSCF, Jody is a Lifetime Member of the NRA.

Jody holds a Master’s in Education (M. Ed) and served the Harris County community for 29 years as a Director of a Special Needs School. Jody was named the American Association of University Women (AAUW) North Harris Outstanding Woman in Education for 2018-2019. Jody retired from public education in July 2020 but remains dedicated to educating youth. Jody supports outdoor and experiential education and advocates hunting for youth to develop their appreciation of the outdoors and foster their desire to conserve wildlife.

Jody and her husband, Michael, are parents to Megan and Jake and grandparents to Julia and Lilly. Jody has had the privilege of being introduced into the hunting world by her husband and his parents Mike and Becky Simpson at the age of 17. The Simpson family and the HSCF members have inspired her to travel and hunt around the world. Jody is always prepared to take on a new adventure.

Born in the panhandle of Texas but raised in Houston, Derek Ham has also lived separate lives in Austin where he went to school and Los Angeles where he worked in the music industry. All the while a hunter, each place Derek has lived has given him perspective on life and the outdoors. His true passion is hunting and conservation and he likes to share that passion by giving back through several outdoor and hunting based charities he has been involved with over the years.

Considering himself an outdoorsman, it makes perfect sense that his most recent chosen career as a real estate agent specializing in ranch property allows Derek to be outdoors almost every day and meet people with the same love for land.

Though most of his hunting has taken place in the great state of Texas, Derek has also been fortunate enough to hunt internationally in Newfoundland, Spain, New Zealand and Greenland. Texas may be his first love to hunt but a close second is Alaska where he took the number 11 all-time Pope and Young moose with his recurve bow. A firm supporter of HSCF, Derek is the 2021 Chairperson for the HSCF ‘Clay Crushing For Youth’ Sporting Clays Tournament, benefiting HSCF’s youth hunting, fishing and outdoor education programs. The event is scheduled for October 23rd at the Greater Houston Sports Club.

Gary Roberson is a native of Medina County and grew up hunting on the family ranch between Devine and Yancey. Armed with a Model 94 Winchester, Roberson killed his first whitetail while hunting by himself at age seven and began calling critters when he was ten years old. After fifteen years in the banking industry, Roberson decided that he would rather chase four legged coyotes than two legged ones, so he and his wife Deb purchased Burnham Brothers Game Calls in 1991.

While Gary has hunted and outfitted for whitetail deer, elk, turkey, and mule deer, he considers chasing mountain lions with hounds and calling coyotes his favorite hunting opportunities. His calling expertise has been well documented in outdoor magazines such as Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Predator Extreme, and numerous TV shows. In 1992, Roberson produced “Calling All Varmints”, a “how to” video on calling predators, and collaborated with Mossy Oak to produce “Eyes Front”, a series of five calling videos. In 2006, Gary and longtime friend, Brian Hawkins produced “Catastrophic”, the most popular predator calling video of all time.

Roberson worked with Savage Arms to develop the MODEL 10 PREDATOR HUNTER, Ruger in designing their line of predator rifles and with Nikon Sport Optics to produce the COYOTE SPECIAL riflescope, products specific for the predator calling game.

Roberson is host of the wildly successful TV show “Carnivore”, which is airing for its eleventh season on Pursuit Channel. Gary is also a staff writer for The Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters and in 2020 with a little prompting from Miss Deb, wrote “Eyes Front…Sixty Years of Hunting the Hunters.”
Roberson is a Pro Staff member for Mossy Oak, Ruger, Trijicon, Hornady, and TRHP Outdoors and lives by the philosophy that “he who hunts the most, hunts the best”.

Willard Franklin III is the founder and CEO of the Four W’s Fishing Team. He, along with his family, are dedicated to promoting diversity in the outdoors through saltwater fishing, hunting and mentorship.
Willard started a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Four W’s Outdoors to help promote the outdoors to underserved youth, women, and more. Fishing is fun, but Willard has inspired and guided dozens of teens into marine and outdoor industry careers. Showcasing careers in the outdoors, to young people, is part of their mission as well. Four W’s mentors future game wardens and is currently working with the USFWS to help recruit and hire a more diverse USFWS Law Enforcement team.

Four W’s specializes in promoting safety, diversity, inclusion, conservation and careers in the outdoor industry. They are sponsoring 12 diverse youth for the 2021-2022 duck hunting season, with excursions planned at the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge System. Four W’s promotes the outdoors to the next generation of Americans. Working with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Four W’s is an active participant in the R3 Program. R3 stands for recruitment, retention, and reactivation. R3 activities seek to create new participants or increase participation rates of current or lapsed outdoor recreationists.

Four W’s also promotes water safety for the National Safe Boating Council. Safety on the water is one of Four W’s main objectives. Four W’s is passionate about the outdoors and works to introducing hunting, shooting and fishing sports to more diverse Americans.

Brian was born and raised just outside of Chicago. He grew up a competitive athlete and did not spend much time, if any, hunting as a child. He and his father did fish off and on, but sports always got in the way. After graduating college, he moved to Colorado to start his professional sales career. Shortly after arriving in Colorado, Brian came across a couple friends that got him hooked on the outdoors and hunting. His passion for hunting continued to grow and in 2013 Brian and his wife Alexis launched “No Limits Hunting”, an adventure-based hunting tv show airing on the Pursuit Channel. In 8 short years Brian and Alexis have grown the show from a single network production to airing on 3 linear networks as well as multiple on demand and social media outlets.

Gray N. Thornton serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) the leading wild sheep conservation organization dedicated to “Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain®.” Prior to joining the Foundation in 2008, Thornton served as Executive Director of the Dallas Safari Club (1997-2008) and Chapter & Membership Director for Safari Club International (1990-1997.) Thornton followed his passion for the conservation/hunting industry after a successful sales career with Unisys and Xerox corporations.

As a public speaker, he has been invited to present keynote addresses on wildlife conservation and hunting and angling ethics internationally to diverse audiences ranging from civic and sportsmen’s groups, to international associations, the Serbian Parliament and before former Presidents of the United States of America, France, and South Africa.

Gray was awarded the “Wildlife Utilisation Award” by the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA), the Association’s highest conservation honor. He also received PHASA’s highest service honor, the “Coenraad Vermaak Distinguished Service Award” and was the first non-South African to be so recognized. Thornton has received the “President’s Award” from the Guide Outfitter Association of British Columbia for his years of dedicated service to the North American hunting and conservation community. As an Outdoor Writer, he received a Katie Award from the Press Club of Dallas representing the southern USA for the best Outdoor Story of the Year with “Iron Horse Fly Fishing.”

Thornton serves on the Board of Directors of Bear Trust International where he serves as Vice-Chairman of Board. He has also served on the Board’s of the Conservation Fund, the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa Conservation and Empowerment Fund, the Ballot Issues Coalition, the Banovich Wildscape Fund, and the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation.
He is a member of WSF’s Chadwick Ram Society, Legacy Society, a WSF Summit Life Member, and a Life Member of numerous industry, guide/outfitter associations and WSF chapters & affiliates. He is also a member of OWAA and POMA.

Thornton is an avid international hunter and fresh and saltwater fly angler, an ice climber, adventure motorcyclist, and a former superbike racer. He completed his FNAWS in February 2017 with a desert bighorn sheep.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing from California State University at Fresno and has earned advanced credits in Wildlife Management from Colorado State University at Fort Collins.

He resides in Manhattan, Montana with his wife Renée, Weimaraner Sage and Vizsla Sienna.

Carly Brasseux, CEO & Founder of Miss Pursuit
misspursuit.com

Carly Brasseux is a determined and passionate business owner and social media/marketing consultant, published author, digital sales director, and freelance outdoor writer based in Dallas, Texas.

In a world where women are the fastest growing segment of the hunting population, she is a major proponent of those women who want to learn more about the outdoors and hunting. As CEO & Owner of Miss Pursuit, her mission is simple: to inspire women to pursue an extraordinary outdoor lifestyle by creating an online hub of information and inspiration through useful and inspiring content—expertly curated and tailor-made for her readers.

Carly started her career with the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee as the External Affairs Manager. As the first full-time staff, she assisted in the areas of government relations, public safety, transportation, aviation, accommodations, stadia, practice sites, city décor, volunteers and overall office operations.

After Super Bowl XLV had come and gone from North Texas, she joined Allies in Service and served as the Director of Community Relations. In this role, she raised awareness and promoted the needs of Dallas veterans, solidifying brand position and identity, developing and executing the marketing and communications plan through public relations, media outreach and direct marketing.
Carly then moved into the consulting field, where she helped clients with social media management, website design and development, sales, media analysis and project management. She currently serves as Director of Business Development for two of the largest parenting websites in North Texas - Dallas Moms and Collin County Moms.

This week Joe and Ramon sit down to start it all over with hunting 101. Ramon asks Joe all the questions from a novice hunter. Joe gets upset with Ramon and fires him. (That last part was a joke) But they do cover a lot of ground floor issues regarding hunting. If you're new to hunting or need a refresher course, this is the show for you.

Host of This Is Africa television series airing on Pursuit Channel

Andrew was born and raised in the African Country of Zimbabwe, to a mother and father who encouraged him to explore the wild and stay with the local village people from a very young age. These experiences of hunting, trapping and fishing with village people instilled in him the awe and wonder of local traditions and wildlife that have led him into his chosen career path.

His knowledge on the wildlife habits and habitats, as well as his deep understanding of the local people and their different cultures, has seen him across the vast majority of Africa creating documentary films to pass on his knowledge of Africa to those across the world who may share a passion for Africa. Andrew has been hunting and filming with some of the most dedicated conservationists over the last decade and has a wealth of experience borne from these many adventures.

Bruno Rosich, a professional hunter and outfitter since 1995, is passionate about delivering the ultimate big game hunting experience for those seeking an elusive, European trophy.
Bruno is not just the owner and CEO of Trophy Hunting Spain; he is an avid hunter too. Since 1995, Bruno has served the hunting industry with excellence and integrity, proving to be one of Europe’s elite hunting professionals, racking up numerous awards and achievements including:


2017 Houston Safari Club Foundation Professional Hunter of the Year Award

Ten-time nominee for the SCI International Professional Hunter of the Year Award

Guided the current Beceite Ibex World Record Holder

Guided six top-ten Beceite Ibex Record Holders

Official Measurer for SCI

Lifetime member of SCI, WSF, DSC, HSCF and IPHA

Founding member of APTCE (The Spanish Professional Hunter Association) where he is also member of the Ethic & Awards Committee


However, his success does not mean that he sits in an office all day. Bruno personally and passionately guides expeditions all year-long to ensure top-notch quality for each of his clients. Aside from his expertise in the hunting industry, Bruno holds a degree in Tourism. This, coupled with his friendly demeanor, enables Bruno to share Spain’s rich history and cultural diversity with meaning and clarity as he travels with his clients throughout the various regions of Spain. In addition, he is fluent in English, Castilian Spanish, French and his native Catalan.

Yes, THAT Ted Nugent. Ted Nugent, The Nuge, The Motor City Madman, Uncle Ted

John D. Shepperd is a sixth generation Texan, born in Austin and raised in San Antonio. After high school in San Antonio, he graduated from University of Texas in Austin with a degree in American Studies. Although Shepperd learned to hunt and fish at an early age, it was during college when the writings of Edward Abbey, Thoreau, John McPhee, and Aldo Leopold really shaped his appreciation for the natural world.

After college, Shepperd worked as a Policy Analyst at the Texas Capitol, then joined the Texas A&M University System as a Research Associate in the departments of Forest Science, Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Agricultural Economics. He planted trees, worked in a laboratory, restored coastal habitat, modeled financial impacts of flood events, surveyed wetlands and saltwater marshes, built the first nursery in Texas dedicated to growing dune plants, and worked as a liaison between the Army Corp of Engineers, TAMU Department of Agriculture Economics, and dozens of South Texas ranchers and farmers.

In 1996, John exchanged his muddy boots for a coat and tie and joined the Senate Natural Resources Committee as a Policy Analyst working primarily with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Department of Agriculture. After two productive Sessions at the Texas Legislature, he moved into the private sector, co-founding two successful healthcare companies.

In 2014, John joined Blackridge Governmental Affairs as Director of Operations, once again back in the political arena. During the 84th Session, he worked on a multitude of projects, including analyzing and tracking legislation, educational outreach, fundraisers, PAC spending, office communications, and lobby team coordinating and strategy.

John then became the Executive Director of the newly formed Texas Foundation for Conservation and the Texas Coalition for Conservation where he focuses on the political, educational, and grassroots outreach of conservation.

Mike Ambrose grew up hunting rabbits and pheasants on his uncle’s farm in central Illinois. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1966 and graduated from Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training and was assigned to SEAL Team 1. After three tours of duty in Vietnam, Mike headed to Louisiana and entered the offshore industry as a tender and was diving commercially within a year. Mike worked all over the world in the commercial diving industry, having dived to over 1000 FSW and logging more than 6 years in saturation diving. He eventually went to work for Offshore Pipelines Inc. and later graduated to management in 1991, working his way up to Executive VP, International for Cal Dive International. His duty stations were mostly international until he retired in 2010. Mike was later called back to take a position in Thailand until 2014.

Mike began big game hunting in 2006 with a New Zealand trip and continues with some vigor until today. He has over 160 species recorded and has been on all six continents. He received a double lung transplant in March of 2020, and since has returned to golf and hunting, even sheep. He is missing only 3 North America Ovis species from his pursuits. Those hunts are booked for 2021 and 2022.

Mike is a Houston Safari Club Foundation Life Member and former member of the HSCF Board of Directors.

Walter M. (Chip) Wittrock, Jr. is the founder of Sportsmen’s Business Alliance, LLC. He is a board member of the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation and serves as their current Vice President. He acts in an advisory capacity for the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation and is a Director for Conserve and Protect Arizona where he serves as the Committee Chair for Education and Outreach Funding.

Chip founded the Valley of the Sun Quail Forever (QF) Chapter in Arizona and served as President from 2013 to 2020. He is also the current Government Affairs Coordinator and a Life member of Quail Forever. Chip was a founder of NOWW 2020-the National Outdoor Women’s Weekend.

Wittrock is also a Pheasant’s Forever Life Member, past Quail Forever chapter President for Carroll County, Iowa and past Iowa state board member. Currently he is an active member of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunters and Anglers Heritage Workshop Group. Chip has also served as a speaker for The Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports and Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Business Summit.

He is an NRA business member, member of Duck's Unlimited, a published author, conservation philanthropist and lifelong conservationist and outdoorsman.

Nelli Williams is the Alaska Director for Trout Unlimited and has worked for the past 12 years on stopping the proposed Pebble Mine and securing long-term protections for Bristol Bay. She lives in Anchorage where she spends most of her non-working time exploring Alaska's abundant rivers and public lands with her husband and two young children.


Tia Shoemaker grew up in a remote hunting camp in bush Alaska. She is a Registered Alaskan Hunting Guide, fishing guide and licensed pilot. When she isn't hunting or fishing, she is usually writing something about hunting or fishing and the importance of maintaining wild places.
Tia has a degree in Outdoor Therapeutic Recreation. She has worked all over Alaska and Montana as a fishing guide and Outdoor Educator. Tia runs the fishing business, guides during hunting season and hasn’t missed a hunting season with Grizzly Skins since she was 14. Many consider her to be the top trophy producing guide.

Andy Techmanski is the Founder and CEO of FORLOH, a new premium, technical hunting, fishing and outdoor apparel brand with apparel that is 100% Made in the U.S.A. Before switching paths to pursue his passions for hunting and American-made manufacturing through FORLOH.
Andy worked in the energy sector as CEO of Whitefish Energy Holdings, an energy construction company. On his new career path, Andy is excited to combine his passion for hunting and vision for American-made manufacturing to his latest business venture.
Andy’s vision for FORLOH is for the brand to become a global leader in the hunting and outdoor apparel industry. Andy is based in Whitefish, Mont., where FORLOH is headquartered.

Chief Executive Officer, Boone And Crockett Club
www.boone-crockett.org

Tony was born and raised in Butte, Montana. After graduating high school, he attended two years of college at the Montana School of Mines and then in 1982 moved to the University of Montana. In his senior year he started a film production company, Stoney-Wolf Productions. Stoney-Wolf rapidly expanded and became known for outdoor productions for home entertainment and commercial theatres. The company was also often hired to film under severe and dangerous conditions. After selling the company in 1997, Tony chose a second career in the NGO world of conservation, working first for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as their Vice President of Marketing and Communications, then for Wonders of Wildlife as their executive director, and finally for the Boone and Crockett Club as their Chief Executive Officer, a position he currently serves.

Tony married his wife Jennifer in 2004 and is the proud father of two girls. He hunts and fishes as much as time allows and includes his family whenever possible. All enjoy the great outdoors and share the same passion for wildlife and wild places.

Tony is a National Conservation Leadership Institute Fellow from Cohort 3. He regularly uses this adaptive challenge training as a part of his job and as a volunteer Board member. Tony currently serves on four boards: Wonders of Wildlife, National Museum of Forest Service History, and the Boy Scouts of America, Montana Council, and the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports.

Besides raising his family, Tony’s passion is to continue to play a role in the conservation and conservation education movement and apply his knowledge and experience to help ensure a wildlife legacy for future generations.

Dustin Knutson, Co-Owner of Boyds Gunstocks
boydsgunstocks.com

Boyds Gunstocks was started in 1981 by Randy Boyd and is located in Mitchell, South Dakota. Boyds Gunstocks has grown in size and scope each year, now employing over 100 people to manufacture the strong line of Boyds Gunstocks that are shipped all over the world.

Dustin Knutson is a long-time employee of Boyds Gunstocks and as of January 2020 became the new co-owner. Dustin became Boyds’ general manager after working his way up the ladder from the production floor. Dustin’s experience and expertise ensures that Boyds’ production facility remains modern, efficient, and producing high-quality gunstocks with the latest technology available. Dustin is an avid hunter as well as excellent target shooter and enjoys getting out into the outdoors as much as possible.

Boyds Gunstocks is the largest aftermarket gunstock manufacturer in the world, making stocks for over 155 different gun brands and 1,200 models within those brands.

Black Bears in Texas with Amanda M. Veals Dutt, PhD Amanda M. Veals Dutt, PhD, Carnivore Specialist and Research Scientist, Borderlands Research Institute, Sul Ross State University.

Dr. Dutt is the Carnivore Specialist and post-doctoral Research Scientist at Borderlands Research Institute. Her research focuses on the spatial ecology and interspecific interactions between mammalian predators, such as black bears and mountain lions, and their prey. Her research in the Trans-Pecos aims to inform management decisions and habitat conservation. Before coming to BRI, Amanda graduated in 2014 with a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of Arizona. During her undergraduate career, Amanda assisted on several carnivore research projects and worked in Namibia on caracals (African lynx), where her passion for carnivore conservation and management began. She earned her MS degree from the University of Arizona in Wildlife Conservation and Management in 2018, studying gray fox spatial ecology. Her thesis research informed disease management through an understanding of interspecific interactions among mesocarnivores.

Amanda completed her PhD in Wildlife Sciences from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute in 2021. Her dissertation focused on the endangered ocelot in an effort to reduce road mortalities. Amanda focused on ocelot spatial ecology and landscape connectivity using four decades of data. Amanda’s research program at BRI seeks to link ecology with applied conservation and management strategies. She has strong interests in spatial and landscape ecology, interspecific interactions, and predator-prey dynamics.

Trey has been an active member of HSC for eight years.  He has been a convention volunteer on the silent auction committee and move in/move out for the last few years.  Trey has been married to his best friend Laurie-Leigh for ten years.  Trey and Laurie-Leigh have been volunteers and sponsors of the Gazelles luncheon for the past few years.  Trey has purchased a Clay Shoot team every year since becoming a member. Trey is entering into his third year as the HSCF Convention Chair. He is an avid sportsman that has big game hunted and wing shot on three continents.  He is also a member of SCI, Ducks Unlimited, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Coastal Conservation Association.

Aaron Davidson, President/CEO, GUNWERKS

Aaron Davidson has been involved in long range shooting since he traded in his high school
Camaro for his first precision rifle. As a mechanical engineer, his training and experience has
given him a unique insight into solving the problems presented with long range shooting. He
started Gunwerks in 2006. His inventions range from rifle stocks and actions to ballistic turrets,
software, reticles, and ballistic compensating rangefinders. He pioneered work in video
production for television and shooting tips to foster the emerging long range shooting market.
No one has accomplished more to make long range shooting so easy and accessible to the
average guy.

Hon. Bill Brewster, Chairman & Founder, Capitol Hill Consulting Group
United States Head of Delegation, International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation

Former Congressman Bill Brewster serves as Chairman of Capitol Hill Consulting Group and is the United States Head of Delegation for the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation.

Congressman Brewster represented the Third Congressional District of Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997. During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Brewster served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, where he made a profound impact on a wide range of tax, energy, health care and trade legislation. Congressman Brewster also served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure during Highway Reauthorization in 1991 and 1996.

As the first and only practicing pharmacist to serve in the U.S. Congress in the last 30 years, Congressman Brewster made significant contributions to the health care policy debate of the 1990’s. His background in health care allowed him to pave the way for common sense reforms in the nation’s health care system.

Throughout Congressman Brewster’s service in Congress, he used his innate skill of coalition building to bring the two political parties, the Administration and private sector together on a host of legislative and public policy initiatives. The results of Congressman Brewster’s strong coalition and partnering skills are still evident in Congress today. In 1994, he formed the Congressional Oil and Gas Forum, and served as its first Chairman. In addition, Congressman Brewster was Chairman of the Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus and was co-founder of the Blue Dog Coalition (an influential group of pro-business Democrat Members of Congress).

A true leader in building and maintaining strong bipartisan coalitions in Congress, Congressman Brewster was instrumental in organizing the first congressional oil and gas meeting with a sitting U.S. President. The Congressional Oil and Gas Forum included more than 80 U.S. Senators and Representatives all of whom met with President Clinton in 1994 to discuss the plight of the domestic oil and gas producers.

Prior to his service in Congress, Congressman Brewster served 8 years in the Oklahoma State Legislature where he chaired several legislative committees as well as serving as Chairman of several outside business organizations, including Southwest Energy Council, Energy Committee at the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Energy Committee at the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Congressman Brewster holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Business has always been a focal point in Congressman Brewster’s career going back to his work in Oklahoma as a pharmacist, cattle ranch owner, owner of a car dealership and owner of a real estate company.

Mike Boone, TPWF Game Warden and cast member with the popular TV show Lone Star Law

Austin Taylor Program Manager, Gear Up For Game Wardens, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation

Gearupforgamewardens.org

Animalplanet.com/tv-shows/lone-star-law/

Mike Boone has served with the Texas Game Wardens for 28 years. Originally from Magnolia, Texas, Boone earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University in 1991 and completed the Texas Game Warden academy in 1992. He has been stationed in Hardin County since 1993. Boone is actively involved with various community relations and youth outdoor activities and has previously received the Mid-Western Officer of the Year and Shikar Safari Officer of the Year Awards. He is currently active as a cast member with the popular TV show Lone Star Law.

Austin Taylor joined Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) in May 2015. Austin is the Program Manager for TPWF’s Gear Up for Game Wardens program. He serves as the primary liaison between TPWF and the Leadership Council communicating updates, coordinating regional activities by co-chairs, and facilitating fundraising events across the state. Additionally, Austin collaborates with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement staff regarding priority equipment needs, purchases and final delivery of equipment.

David Yeates is the Chief Executive Officer of Texas Wildlife Association, a 35-year-old organization with approximately 10,000 members. TWA focuses on natural resource education, hunter recruitment and retention, while maintaining a robust advocacy presence at the Texas Capitol.

Yeates graduated with an Agricultural Economics degree from Texas A&M University and completed the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He worked in community banking for over 14 years, most recently serving as President of the New Braunfels and Seguin Banking Centers for Prosperity Bank prior to joining TWA in May of 2014.

His family still owns their fifth-generation homestead and continues to farm and ranch in the Rolling Plains of Texas. He is an avid hunter and angler, spending much of his recreational time in the field or on the coast. He has also been an active volunteer for several non-profits including Habitat for Humanity, Ducks Unlimited, and Coastal Conservation Association.

Dr. Matthew Hughes is the Engagement Manager for Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and oversees the Stewards of the Wild program. Matt received his Doctorate degree in Parks and Recreation Management from Clemson University in 2015. Since then, Matt has dedicated his life to helping people get outside and enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer, from camping and hiking, to fishing and hunting.

Brad Luttrell is the Cofounder, CEO of GoWild, a free social media community that helps outdoor enthusiasts learn new skills, find better gear and share their story. He is an award-winning writer, marketing strategist and Creative Director, although his friends mostly just know him for his smoked venison chili. Download the GoWild App at downloadgowild.com.

Past Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In April 2017, Ms. Skipwith was appointed by President Trump to the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior. Ms. Skipwith was responsible and had oversight for policy, planning, and regulatory actions for the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).


On January 6, 2020, Ms. Aurelia Skipwith was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). She served as the 22nd Director for the Service and was the first African American to hold the position. Ms. Skipwith was first nominated by President Trump in October 2018 for the position and then she was re-nominated in the 116th Congress on July 17, 2019. She was confirmed by the full Senate on December 12, 2019.


As the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ms. Skipwith was responsible for the federal management of fish, wildlife and natural habitats. The Service’s mission is "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people." The Service employs over 8,500 employees and manages over 855 million acres of land and water. In her role as Director, she served on multiple Councils and Committees, including serving as the Vice-Chairman of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border Interagency Executive Council and was also a member of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Interagency Committee on Trade in Timber Products from Peru. On January 19, 2021, Ms. Skipwith resigned from her position as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.


Ms. Skipwith is an avid marathon runner and a true believer in getting involved. Her family hails from Columbus, Mississippi.

Pat Murray is a national advocate and leader on marine conservation issues and an active sportsman.
Currently, he serves as the National President of the Coastal Conservation Association, one of the nation’s largest marine resource conservation organizations.

Founded in 1977, CCA has more than 125,000 members and 224 local chapters throughout the US. Murray has served in a variety of positions within the organization in his 24-year tenure, including leadership roles in state and national operations, state and federal advocacy, development fundraising and grassroots membership cultivation. Prior to joining CCA, he owned and operated a light-tackle fishing guide service along the upper Texas coast.


He is the publisher of TIDE magazine, one of the largest circulated coastal outdoors print magazines with a circulation of more than 100,000. TIDE was named the 2016 Outdoor Publication of the Year by the Texas Outdoor Writers Association. Murray has won numerous awards for his magazine writing and is the author of Texas Fish and Game Publishing’s best-selling book “Pat Murray’s No-Nonsense Guide to Coastal Fishing” as well as a new book published by Texas A&M University Press “It’s More than Fishing.”

Evan is president and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance and its Foundation. Evan is a government affairs and non-profit management executive who has spent the past 14 years working on hunting and conservation issues. Evan joined the Sportsmen’s Alliance and Foundation in 2007 and over the past fourteen years he has coordinated the organization’s political, legal and ballot issue strategies. Additionally, he has worked heavily on solutions involving the future of hunting and reaching the next generation of sportsmen and women, including leading the effort to remove barriers that prevent people from participating in hunting and the shooting sports.
Prior to joining the Sportsmen’s Alliance, Evan served on staff in both the Ohio House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. He is an avid hunter and holds a Bachelor of Political Science degree from Ohio University.

Dr. Derr is a Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology and Genetics at Texas A&M University. He is the Director of the DNA Technologies Core Laboratory and served as the Chair of the Faculty of Genetics at Texas A&M University and the President of the Texas Genetics Society. For over 25 years, he has directed worldwide research projects in wildlife and livestock conservation genetics. This body of work has produced more than 75 scientific publications reporting original research on many different species. For example, his research program has produced articles on North American bison, bottlenose dolphins, domestic and wild cats, elk, pronghorn antelope, sheep, quail, white-tailed and mule deer, bowhead whales, domestic livestock and multiple fish species.

In addition, Dr. Derr is an impactful educator through his teaching efforts in undergraduate genetics courses to students interested in medicine (human and veterinary) and he has mentored over 100 graduate students in the fields of conservation/population genetics and animal health. One of Dr. Derr’s most popular courses is “Wildlife Conservation Medicine”. This course is designed for first- and second-year veterinary students to travel to South Africa and Botswana to learn how to chemically immobilize, treat and transport everything from African plains game to dangerous game. His efforts with these young veterinarians ensure they graduate with specialized knowledge and skills to handle health care and conservation issues with the tremendous number of exotic wildlife species here in the State of Texas on private ranches and preserves.

Matt Pyle has been a member of HSC since 2009 and is currently the President of HSCF & HSC. He has served as Vice President in 2012 and 2013, on the Board of Directors 2013-2017 and is currently serving as the Chairman for the Veteran Outreach program. Matt was the 2013 Convention Chairman, the Convention Corporate Sponsor Chairman in 2012 and 2013, and Co-Chair in 2014 – 2018. He and his wife Susie are Gazelles Luncheon and Hunting Awards Sponsors.

Director of Government Affairs, Wildlife Forever

Tim Richardson is a Washington, DC-based public affairs, media, and fundraising consultant. Tim has been Government Affairs Director for Wildlife Forever since 1995. Prior to that, he worked for Texas’ U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in Washington and was a political journalist in Austin during the 1980s. Tim is rural Michigan native who moved to Texas in 1979.

After a decade in Texas journalism and two years on Capitol Hill, Richardson became the nation’s only private consultant to work on Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon restoration for grant applicants. Clients in Alaska and Texas have received over $500 million in oil spill funds for projects involving public and private stakeholders, partners, and natural resource agencies. In addition to oil spill restoration Tim has worked on myriad state and federal government affairs issues for over thirty years.

Founder, HuntingLife.com
HuntingLife.com

Kevin Paulson started HuntingLife.com in 2006 to create a resource to share his passion for the outdoors, hunting and conservation. Prior to that Kevin co-owned an outfitting business in Idaho and Montana focused on elk and mule deer. He sold his portion of the business after his father passed away in 2006. Kevin’s passion for outdoor gear, shooting and the entire hunting industry has allowed his business to grow exponentially over the last 20 years. Kevin is a board member for the Professional Outdoor Media Association, and he is singularly focused on bringing more outdoor writers and influencers into the association. Kevin is focused currently on growing a network called Outdoor Hive using new technology to benefit outdoor, hunting and shooting companies.