HUNTERS: - National Wild Turkey Federation

NatioNal officers 2012 

Chairman Of The BOard Jim Hinkle 

PresidenT Sam Mars III 

ViCe PresidenT Vern Ross 

seCreTary Marvin Hartley 

Treasurer Vincent Rosdahl 

Chief LegaL COunseL Richard Morgan 

BOard Of direCTOrs 

2013 Robert Dettmer, M.D. (MO) 

Earl (Buddy) Fry (OH), Marvin Hartley (FL) 

Jim Hinkle (AR), Sam Mars III (TN) 

Louis Yount (SC) 

2014 Mike Evans (OK) 

Robert Higginbotham (MS) 

William Marvin (FL), Jere Peak (AL) 

Parks Shackelford (VA), Harlan Starr (AL) 

2015 Bill Buckner (OK), Frank Coble (IL) 

Scott Hill (NJ), Vincent Rosdahl (CA) 

Vern Ross (PA), Peggy Anne Vallery (AZ) 

nWTf Canada BOard 

Of direCTOrs 

PresidenT Jack Playne 

ViCe PresidenT Randy Roloson 

seCreTary/Treasurer Russ Davies 

nWTf fOundaTiOn BOard 2012 

PresidenT Riley Smith 

ViCe PresidenT Jim Blome 

seCreTary Ryan Klesko 

direCTOrs Rodney Barreto, Toxey Haas, 

Jim Hinkle, Sam Mars III, John Rood, 

Vern Ross, Vincent Rosdahl 

hOnOrary direCTOrs 

Trent Cole, Allen Jenkins, 

Craig Morgan, Brenda Potterfield, 

Brenda Valentine, Peggy Anne Vallery 

nOn-VOTing direCTOrs 

James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., 

Donna Leggett, Ellen Lintal, 

George Thornton 

exeCuTiVe sTaff 

Chief exeCuTiVe OffiCer 

George C. Thornton 

Chief COnserVaTiOn OffiCer 

James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D. 

seniOr VP Of sTraTegiC markeTing 

and fieLd OPeraTiOns 

Mike Cleary 

VP Of finanCe and COnTrOL 

Ellen Lintal 

VP Of deVeLOPmenT 

Donna Leggett 

human resOurCes direCTOr 

Tony Brown, PHR 

direCTOr Of infOrmaTiOn TeChnOLOgy 

Greg Werner 

WarehOuse manager 

Willie Underwood 

HUNters: 

CHAMPIONS OF CONSERVATION 

About the NWtF 

The NWTF is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. A nonprofit 

organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage, the NWTF 

and its volunteers work closely with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies and other partners. 

Through these dynamic partnerships, the NWTF and its members helped restore wild turkey populations 

throughout North America, investing more than $412 million to conserve 17.3 million acres 

of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, 

pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat. 

The NWTF also brings new conservationists and hunters into the fold through outdoor education 

events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, and JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth 

outreach programs. Dedicated NWTF volunteers introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors 

through these programs every year. 

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state 

and Canada. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably 

the greatest conservation success story in North American history. 

tAbLe oF CoNteNts 

LeAdership 

1 ...............About the NWTF 

2 ............... Letter from the 

President and CEO 

3-5 ...........Board of Directors 

6-7 ...........NWTF Foundation 

CoNserve 

9 ...............NWTF and the NBCI 

10 .............Super Fund New England 

11 .............Stewardship Contracting 

12 .............Longleaf Pine Restoration 

13 .............Urgent Habitat Needs 

14 .............Private Lands Programs 

15 .............Energy for Wildlife 

16 .............Research 

17 ............. Collaborative Partnership 

huNt 

19-21 ......NWTF Awards 

22 ............ Conservation Easement 

and More Places to Hunt 

23 ............Families Afield 

shAre 

25 ............ Outreach Programs 

26 ............ Women in the Outdoors 

27............. JAKES/Xtreme JAKES 

28 ............Wheelin’ Sportsmen 

28 ............Shooting Programs 

29-30 .....Outreach and Education 

31-37 ......NWTF Convention 

38 ............ Publications and 

Online Media 

39 ............ Television and Public 

Relations 

40 ............ Membership Marketing 

41 ............ Turkey Shoppe on 

Main and OutdoorDeal 

Hound.com 

42 ............Financial 

43 ............Supporting the NWTF 

44-48 .....Our Supporters

PrESIDENT & CEO LETTEr 

As we prepare to celebrate our 40 th anniversary, we 

have a clear view of our past, present and future. 

There is one common thread running through each 

of them — our mission. 

Our message of conservation and hunting heritage 

rings just as clearly today as it did in the early days of our 

organization. In 1973 the clarion call was to re-establish 

wild turkeys across North America. We came together 

like no other conservation organization in history to 

restore the wild turkey. 

We had turkeys flying out of boxes from Washington 

to Florida, Maine to New Mexico. Along with our 

partners at state, federal and provincial agencies, we 

saw the need, and we met the challenge head on. These 

majestic birds went from a mere 30,000 in the early 

1900s to 7 million strong today. 

We led the way then, as we have throughout our 

39 years. 

Last year was no different. Thanks to the tremendous 

efforts of our dedicated volunteers, staff and 

partners, we had many successes in 2012 that advanced 

our mission. 

The NWTF conserved and enhanced more than a 

quarter million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, 

bringing our total to 17.3 million acres since 1985. 

That’s almost the size of South Carolina. 

In addition to our many ongoing projects, we 

added two agreements with the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service that will allow the NWTF to 

improve critical habitat on private land in 16 states, 

which will help wild turkeys and many other game 

and nongame species. 

The NWTF awarded $660,000 in endowments to 

33 high school and collegiate shooting organizations 

across the nation through the Scholastic Shooting 

Trust, a foundation created by MidwayUSA founders 

Brenda and Larry Potterfield. 

The Families Afield program helped reverse a 

decade-long decline in hunting participation. The U.S. 

Fish & Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting and Wildlife Recreation study showed a 

9 percent increase in hunting participation from 12.5 

million hunters in 2006 to 13.7 million in 2011. The 

NWTF founded the Families Afield program along 

with the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and National Shooting 

Sports Foundation. 

We introduced more than 100,000 people to the 

outdoors through our outreach programs — JAKES, 

JAKES Take Aim, Xtreme JAKES, Women in the 

Outdoors and Wheelin’ Sportsmen. 

We established the NWTF Foundation, which will 

generate endowments that will ensure our funding for 

years to come. 

Our support for the sound, science-based manage- 

ment of wildlife was in 

line with the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service’s 

announcement that 

the Wyoming population 

of gray wolves 

will be managed by 

the state under an 

approved management 

plan, just as they are in 

Idaho and Montana. 

The NWTF supports 

our state wildlife 

partners in their efforts 

to properly manage 

wildlife resources. 

While 2012 was 

an outstanding year 

for wildlife conservation 

and our hunting 

heritage, we can’t rest 

on our laurels. As our 

future opens before us, 

we face a number of challenges. 

GEOrGE ThOrNTON 

CEO 

SAm mArS III 

President 

Wild turkey numbers are diminishing in some states, 

mostly because of a loss of essential habitat. This loss 

must be reversed through proper management of our 

fields and forests, which will increase each acre’s carrying 

capacity for turkeys and other wildlife. 

We’re also losing 6,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat 

every single day to urban development. That’s 2.2 

million acres a year, an area the size of Yellowstone National 

Park. We must make every remaining acre count 

toward top-notch habitat for wild turkeys, deer, quail 

and other game and nongame animals we treasure. 

And finally, hunters and our hunting rights are under 

attack from anti-hunting groups and some segments of 

the media. If we don’t stand our ground today, there is 

no hope for the future of hunting and conservation. 

Our mission is no less urgent today than it was in 

1973. In fact, it may be more important because what 

we do in the next 40 years will be instrumental in not 

only enhancing wild turkey populations, but in the 

continuation of hunting and quality wildlife habitat for 

countless species. 

The NWTF’s ready for the challenge today, just as 

we were in 1973. The NWTF will be a leader for the 

next 40 years, standing as one team with one mission. 

George C. Thornton Sam Mars III 

NWTF CEO NWTF President 

Hunters: CHAMPIONS OF CONSERVATION | 2 | 2012 NWTF ANNUAL REPORT 

MeMbersHip 

With 1,836 chapters, the NWTF 

provides a place for people from 

all walks of life to get involved in 

conservation. Today, the NWTF 

has members in 50 states, Canada, 

Mexico and 14 other countries. 

People with a passion for wildlife 

and the outdoors can join the 

NWTF by choosing from several 

categories including: 

NWTF Annual Membership: $35 

NWTF Sponsor Membership 

$250 

NWTF Life Memberships 

• Silver Life 

$5,000 – $9,999 

• Diamond Life 

$10,000 – $24,999 

• Patron Life 

$25,000 – $49,999 

• Guardian Life 

$50,000 – $99,999 

• Centurion Life $100,000+ 

JAKES/Xtreme JAKES 

Membership: $10 

JAKES (Juniors Acquiring 

Knowledge, Ethics and 

Sportsmanship) educates and 

involves youth under age 12 in 

wildlife conservation and the wise 

stewardship of our natural resources. 

Xtreme JAKES is for teens ages 

13 to 17. 

Women in the Outdoors 


The Women in the Outdoors 

program helps women enjoy the 

outdoors and learn the importance 

of wildlife management and the 

role hunters play in conservation. 

Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF 


Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF 

provides people with disabilities 

opportunities to enjoy hunting, 

fishing, target shooting and more 

through events held across North 

America.

ILL buCKNEr 

Ardmore, Okla. 

rObErT “DOC” DETTmEr m.D. 

Ironton, Mo. 

mIKE EvANS 

Atoka, Okla. 

EArL “buDDy” Fry 

Willow Wood, Ohio 

nwtf member since: 2012 

nwtf national board of directors 

member since: 2012 

currently serves: 

• NWTF Constitution and Bylaws, Building, 

Compensation, Development and Hunting 

Heritage committees as a member 





• NWTF Awards Committee as chair 

• NWTF Conservation Programs, Policy, Hunting 

Heritage, Super Fund, Development and 

Strategic Planning committees as a member 





• NWTF Hunting Heritage Committee as chair 

• NWTF Constitution and Bylaws, Audit, Building, 

Development and Super Fund committees as a 

member 





• NWTF Conservation Programs, Policy, Development, 

Super Fund and Hunting Heritage committees 

as a member 

mArvIN hArTLEy 

Jacksonville, Fla. 

rObErT hIGGINbOThAm 

Louisville, Miss. 

SCOTT hILL 

Ringwood, N.J. 

JIm hINKLE 

Mountain View, Ark. 





• NWTF National Board of Directors 

as Secretary 

• NWTF Super Fund Committee as chair 

• NWTF Executive, Finance, Constitution and 

Bylaws, Awards, Policy, Compensation and 






• NWTF Strategic Planning Committee as chair 

• NWTF Nominating, Constitution and Bylaws, 

Awards, Development, Hunting Heritage and Super 

Fund committees as a member 





• NWTF Conservation, Awards, Development and 

Hunting Heritage committees as a member 



bOArD OF DIrECTOrS 




• NWTF National Board of Directors as chair 

• NWTF Nominating Committee as chair 

• NWTF Finance, Building, Compensation and 

Strategic Planning committees as a member

OArD OF DIrECTOrS 

SAm mArS III 

Harrogate, Tenn. 

WILLIAm E.C. mArvIN 

Tallahassee, Fla. 

JErE PEAK 

Selma, Ala. 

vINCENT m. rOSDAhL 

New Canaan, Conn. 





• NWTF National Board of Directors as president 

• NWTF Executive Committee as chair 

• NWTF Executive, Nominating, Finance, 

Compensation and Strategic Planning 

committees as a member 





• NWTF Constitution and Bylaws Committee 

as chair 

• NWTF Awards, Audit, Policy, Development, 

Hunting Heritage and Super Fund committees 

as a member 





• NWTF Audit and Compensation committees 

as chair 

• NWTF Finance, Awards and Strategic Planning 






• NWTF National Board of Directors as treasurer 

• NWTF Finance Committee as chair 

• NWTF Executive, Nominating, Policy, Building 

and Compensation committees as a member 

vErN rOSS 

Camp Hill, Pa. 

PArKS ShACKELFOrD 

Arlington, Va. 

hArLAN STArr 

Cedar Bluff, Ala. 

PEGGy ANNE vALLEry 

Tucson, Ariz. 





• NWTF National Board of Directors as vice president 

• NWTF Conservation Committee as chair 

• NWTF Finance, Development, Policy, 

Compensation and Strategic Planning committees 

as a member 





• NWTF Conservation Programs, Development and 

Hunting Heritage committees as a member 





• NWTF Policy Committee as chair 

• NWTF Nominating, Audit, Development, Hunting 

Heritage, Strategic Planning and Super Fund 







• NWTF Development Committee as chair 

• NWTF Finance, Constitution and Bylaws, Awards, 

Building and Hunting Heritage committees as 

a member

LOuIS yOuNT 

Hartsville, S.C. 

JACK PLAyNE 

Perkinsfield, Ontario, Canada 

Canada 

rANDy m. rOLOSON 

Simcoe, Ontario, Canada 





• NWTF Building Committee as chair 

• NWTF Finance, Audit, Policy, Strategic Planning 

and Super Fund committees as a member 





• NWTF Canada Board of Directors as president 

• NWTF Ontario Provincial Board of Directors 

as director 

• NWTF Ontario Super Fund Committee as chair 





• NWTF Canada Board of Directors as 

vice president 

rIChArD J. mOrGAN 

Columbia, S.C. 

ruSS DAvIES 

Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada 

NWtf presiDeNts 

Sam Mars III 

(Tenn.) 2012 

Jim Hinkle 

(Ark.) 2010-2011 

Peggy Anne Vallery 

(Ariz.) 2006 

Bill Torhorst 

(Wis.) 2006 

Jere D. Peak 

(Ala.) 2004-2005, 2007-2009 

Robert Dettmer, M.D. 

(Mo.) 2002-2003 

Gene Goodwin 

(Ohio) 2001 

bOArD OF DIrECTOrS 

Chief Legal Counsel 





• NWTF Awards Committee as chair 

• NWTF Conservation Programs, Policy, Hunting 

Heritage, Super Fund, Development and 


CANADA bOArD OF DIrECTOrS 





• NWTF Canada Board of Directors as 

secretary/treasurer 

Michael Tull 

(Ga.) 1999-2000 

James G. Dickson, Ph.D. 

(La.) 1997-1998 

Lynn Boykin 

(Ala.) 1995-1996 

Glenn Harrelson 

(N.C.) 1993-1994 

Louis Yount 

(S.C.) 1991-1992 

Shaun Viguerie 

(La.) 1989-1990 

Gene Denton 

(Ark.) 1987-1988 


Ron Fretts 

(Pa.) 1985-1986 

J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert 

(La.) 1983-1984 

Earl Groves 

(N.C.) 1980-1982 

Max Hamilton 

(Mo.) 1978 

Robert Besch 

(N.Y.) 1976-1977, 1979 

F.H. “Pete” Farrar 

(Ala.) 1975 

Turner Battle 

(N.C.) 1974

ThE NWTF FOuNDATION 

The NWTF Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising 

organization working to support the NWTF’s mission of 

conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. 

The foundation is staffed by leaders in the outdoor industry 

President: rILEy SmITh 

Mobile, Ala. 

Smith, the grandson of the founder of 

Tensaw Land & Timber Co., Inc., has served 

as president and CEO of the company since 

1988. He previously served as commissioner 

of the Alabama Department of Conservation 

and Natural Resources. 

Vice President: JIm bLOmE 

Walnut Creek, Calif. 

Blome serves as the president/CEO for 

Bayer CropScience and the head of Crop 

Protection for the North American Region. 

He formerly served as executive vice president 

and chief operating officer with Valent 

USA Corp. and held management roles at 

Agrilliance, LLC. 

who truly care for wildlife and the lifestyle of millions of outdoorsmen 

and women of North America. They understand 

the importance of giving back and connecting the NWTF with 

important financial resources to accomplish our mission. 


Secretary: ryAN KLESKO 

Macon, Ga. 

Klesko is a former first baseman and outfielder, 

who last played for the San Francisco 

Giants. Kesko, also previously played for the 

San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves when 

they won the 1995 World Series. He is active in 

charitable activities and a positive force in the 

hunting industry.

ODNEy L. bArrETO 

Coral Gables, Fla. 

Barreto served two terms term on the Florida 

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 

He was first appointed by former Governor Jeb 

Bush and re-appointed by Governor Charles 

Crist. Barreto is president and CEO of Barreto 

Group Inc. 

TOXEy hAAS 

West Point, Miss. 

Haas Founded Haas Outdoors, one of the 

country’s largest manufacturers of camouflage 

and registered the Mossy Oak trademark. 

JIm hINKLE 

Mountain View, Ark. 

Hinkle is the chair of the NWTF National 

Board of Directors. He serves as chair of the 

TrENT COLE 

Sewell, N.J. 

An avid hunter and conservationist 

off the football field, Cole, 

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end, 

tracks down quarterbacks with as 

much skill and determination as he 

takes into the woods. 

ALLEN JENKINS 

Thomasville, Ga. 

Jenkins is a true conservationist 

and craftsman. In 1970, he purchased 

the M. L. Lynch Company 

JAmES EArL KENNAmEr, Ph.D. 

Edgefield, S.C. 

Kennamer has headed the NWTF’s conservation 

department for more than 32 years and now 

serves as chief conservation officer. He coordinates 

programs with state and federal agencies, 

private organizations and companies throughout 

the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

DONNA LEGGETT 

Augusta, Ga. 

Leggett serves as NWTF’s vice president of 

development. One of Leggett’s projects was to 

and has made more than 3 million 

turkey box calls since then. Allen is 

an NWTF founding director and a 

Diamond Life member. 

CrAIG mOrGAN 

Dickson, Tenn. 

US Army veteran, TV show host, 

Grand Ole Opry member and 

singer-song writer, Craig Morgan 

also is an avid hunter and angler. 

brENDA POTTErFIELD 

Columbia, Mo. 

FOuNDATION bOArD mEmbErS 

Nominating Committee and member of the 

Finance, Building, Compensation and Strategic 

Planning committees. 

SAm mArS III 

Harrogate, Tenn. 

Mars is the president of the NWTF National 

Board of Directors. He serves as chair of the 

NWTF Executive Committee and member of 

the Executive, Nominating, Finance, Compensation 

and Strategic Planning committees. 

JOhN D. rOOD 

Jacksonville, Fla. 

Rood is the chair of The Vestcor Companies, 

Inc. In 2002, he was appointed as a commissioner 

of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 

Commission. 

FOuNDATION bOArD hONOrAry mEmbErS 

Potterfield is co-owner of 

MidwayUSA and serves as vice 

president of industry and community 

relations, where she handles 

public relations, events, and acts 

as the company’s liaison with the 

outdoor media. 

brENDA vALENTINE 

Puryear, Tenn. 

Valentine is known in the 

industry as the “First Lady of 

Hunting” and is a NWTF national 

spokesperson. She is a member of 

Bass Pro Shops national RedHead 

Pro-Hunting Team and inductee 

in the Legends of the Outdoors 

national hall of fame. She is host of 

NWTF’s “Turkey Call” TV. 

PEGGy ANNE vALLEry 

Tucson, Ariz. 

Vallery is the chair of the 

NWTF Development Committee. 

She serves as a member of the 

Finance, Constitution and Bylaws, 

Awards, Building and Hunting 

Heritage committees. 

FOuNDATION bOArD NON-vOTING mEmbErS 

help create the NWTF Foundation, which will 

provide permanent funding for many NWTF 

programs and projects. 

ELLEN LINTAL 

Aiken, S.C. 

Lintal severs as vice president of finance 

and control for the NWTF. Her focus is on 

strengthening internal controls, budget and 

operational procedures, while improving 

operational efficiency. This operational focus 

facilitates funding NWTF projects and supports 

membership growth. 


vINCENT m. rOSDAhL 

New Canaan, Conn. 

Rosdahl is the treasurer of the NWTF National 

Board of Directors. He serves as chair of 

the NWTF Finance Committee and member 

of the Executive, Nominating, Policy, Building 

and Compensation committees. 

vErN rOSS 

Camp Hill, Pa. 

Ross serves as the executive director for the 

Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation. 

He serves as vice president of the NWTF 

National Board of Directors, as chair of the 

NWTF Conservation Committee, and member 

of the Executive, Finance, Development, 

Policy, Compensation and Strategic Planning 

committees. 

GEOrGE ThOrNTON 

Edgefield, S.C. 

Thornton serves as CEO of the NWTF. 

During Thornton’s tenure, the NWTF has 

put an emphasis on funding on-the-ground 

projects that benefit wild turkeys and numerous 

other upland species, as well as fighting 

for and preserving our hunting heritage.

HUNTERS: - National Wild Turkey Federation

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