Click here to download a PDF of this article.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Board of Directors has four new additions. Each of these individuals brings a unique set of skills, professional accomplishments and a love of the outdoors that will benefit hunters, anglers, trappers and recreational shooters in this bipartisan organization.
Jeff Crane, president of the CSF, says, “The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Board of Directors is the foundation beneath the CSF. That foundation just got stronger. We are lucky to have our current board members, and we’re proud to have these four outstanding individuals join our board. They all have busy schedules and full lives but nevertheless are committed to helping protect and enhance our rights to hunt, fish, trap and shoot.”
The new members of the CSF’s Board of Directors are:
Ben Carter
Ben Carter is the executive director of the Dallas Safari Club and is based in Dallas, Texas. From1977-2001 he was the marketing manager for Burroughs Corporation in Austin, Texas. From 1985-2007 he was the owner and operator of Ben F Carter Remodeling, Inc., a full-service residential construction company in the North Dallas area specializing in high-end residential construction of new and renovation of existing homes. Ben previously served on the Sovereign Bank Advisory Board in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, he has served as the Director of the Wild Sheep Foundation and as a Professional Member of the Boone and Crockett Club. From 2007-2008 he was Trustee of Dallas Ecological Foundation. From 2002-2005 he was Director of Texas Bighorn Society; he joined the Texas Bighorn Society Advisory Board in 2005 and remains an active member of the board today.
As an avid outdoorsman, Ben has taken 26 of the 28 North American game species, including six different species that qualify for the Boone and Crocket Record Book. He has hunted in Africa, in South America, Russia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and most of the western and southern states. He has a ranch in West Texas that he manages for white-tailed deer, turkey and quail. He has taken all three daughters on international hunting trips.
Ben says, “Personally, I think that our rights to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors are at risk every day. The work the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation does is critical to keep our heritage alive. We are in the front trenches, and if we don’t maintain our heritage and sporting interests they will be lost. I have taken an active role within the Dallas Safari Club by promoting our Outdoors Adventures curriculum that is now in 110 secondary schools in Texas. By partnering with Texas Parks and Wildlife on this program we have presented it to most of the schools in Texas, and we hope to get it going nationwide. Hunter recruitment is something we all should be focused on.”
Chris Gullott
Chris Gullott is the director of State and Federal Government Affairs at Bridgestone Americas, Inc. Prior to joining Bridgestone, he served as vice president of State Government Affairs at the Rubber Manufacturers Association. In this capacity, Chris served as the tire manufacturing industry’s national representative and liaison to state legislatures and governor’s offices. He has extensive lobbying and state legislative experience, having also worked on the professional staff of two New York State Assembly Minority Leaders. Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Fort DuPont Ice Arena, the Congressional Hockey Challenge and has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Jefferson Islands Club. He also serves as the co-chairman of the L’Enfant Society of the Trust for the National Mall. A 1989 graduate of The Albany Academy, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Siena College in Loudonville, New York, and a Master of Arts from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife, Kristen, and their two children.
Jason Hornady
Jason Hornady grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska. When he was a teenager he worked for the family business as an apprentice in the Hornady Manufacturing ballistics lab. Jason went on to college at the University of Wyoming where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1992. After graduating from college, Jason worked as a manufacturer’s representative for Sportco Marketing in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. At Sportco Jason represented numerous outdoor brands, including: Bear Archery, Shimano, Nikon and Thompson/Center Arms. Following Sportco Marketing, Jason became director of sales and marketing for Redfield Riflescopes in 1996; he then went on to work for Dunkin-Lewis, a manufacturer’s representative agency, as director of key account sales. While working for Dunkin-Lewis, Jason represented Johnson Outdoors, Swarovski, Thompson-Center and Plano; his key accounts included Cabela’s, Academy and TSA. In 2006, after 14 successful years in the outdoor industry, Jason accepted a position with the family business at Hornady Manufacturing, as director of sales, and currently serves as vice president of sales and marketing. He is an avid hunter and shooter and has participated in regional- and national-level shooting competitions. Jason’s passion for hunting and shooting is demonstrated by his pursuits both here in North America and internationally. As a shooting-industry sales professional, Jason has been fortunate to work with over 150 companies. He has served on several boards and is currently involved with the International Hunter’s Education Association (IHEA), the Heartland Public Shooting Park and also serves as the company alternate for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute (SAAMI) boards.
John Larkin
Raised in Connecticut, John Larkin attended Seton Hall University in New Jersey. After returning to Connecticut, John pursued his interest in government by working for the City of Hartford and the City Council. Following city hall, John lobbied for a trade association at the state and federal level. He worked for one of the state’s premier lobbying firms, Rome, Smith & Associates. In 2007, John began his own consulting firm, JC Larkin Company LLC. Today, John advises his clients at all levels of government in order to achieve their strategic goals. In 2009, he was recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as a “40 under 40” in the Greater Hartford region. In addition to his work with numerous local and national conservation groups, John also serves on the Board of Directors for Operation Fuel, Inc.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
