The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has appointed four new leaders from the sportsmen’s community to serve on its Board of Directors.
CSF’s Board of Directors is comprised of 22 members who serve three-year terms and five Honorary members from all backgrounds and walks of life. CSF President Jeff Crane praised the new members for their commitment to the sportsmen’s community. “Our Board members volunteer their time and resources which support the Foundation’s efforts to ensure our sportsmen’s traditions remain a priority in the policy arena at the federal and state levels,” said Crane.
This year’s Board leadership includes: Chairman Mark DeYoung (ATK), Vice-Chair Paul Miller (Tech Exec, Inc.), Secretary Jason Hornady (Hornady Manufacturing), and Treasurer Brian Linneman (Cabela’s). “The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation serves a vital function working with Congressional leaders, governors and state legislators to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping,” said Mark DeYoung, President and CEO of ATK. “As a lifelong outdoorsman, I respect and appreciate this mission. I look forward to serving as chairman of this fine organization and contributing to its efforts to protect our nation’s outdoor heritage.”
The newly elected Board members for 2015 include:
Paul Babaz, Safari Club International
For the past 22 years, Paul Babaz has worked at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as a Senior Vice-President leading a group of financial professionals. It is his passion for hunting and wildlife conservation that led him to become a dedicated volunteer for various organizations including Safari Club International (SCI) and Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF). He has also been involved with many organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Friends of the NRA. He serves on the SCI executive committee as SCI’s Deputy President-Elect and is the director of SCIF. He is a member of SCI’s Government Affairs Committee, Convention Steering Committee, SCIF’s Conservation Committee, and National Fundraising Committee, among other assignments.
As a lifelong hunter and conservationist, he has had the good fortune of being able to hunt throughout North America and on three different continents. He believes the most memorable outdoor experiences are the ones shared with his children and strives to ensure that our natural resources remain intact for them and their children, through legislative efforts.
Chris Dorsey, Orion Entertainment
Chris Dorsey is founding partner of Denver-based Orion Entertainment, a leading producer of lifestyle television with more than 20 series and specials in production for a wide range of networks including, History Channel, Discovery, National Geographic, HGTV, DIY, GAC, Travel Channel, and Outdoor Channel.
He’s also helped launch more than 45 outdoor television series – more than anyone in history. Dorsey’s approach of fusing brand DNA with entertaining programming has made him a sought-after speaker in the television and marketing world where branded entertainment is an ever-growing genre.
Prior to his career in television, Dorsey served as a publishing executive running some of the largest outdoor magazines in America, including Sports Afield and Ducks Unlimited. His work has appeared in a wide variety of national publications including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Television Week, National Geographic, Writer’s Digest, and scores of outdoor periodicals. He’s the author of seven books on outdoor, natural history, and business subjects.
Because of his connections to the celebrity community, Dorsey has been retained to assist in developing campaign strategies for a wide variety of political candidates ranging from those seeking the Oval Office to governorships, Senate and House seats. His ability to craft messaging that appeals to America’s 50 million sportsmen–whether creating branded entertainment or highlighting the ties between political candidates and the passions and concerns of American sportsmen–has been at the core of his success.
Dorsey lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife Amy and twin sons Luke and Nathan.
Mike Helton, NASCAR
The sport’s most visible leader at the race track, NASCAR President Mike Helton assumed that role in November 2000 when he succeeded Bill France Jr., who had served as president since 1972. He serves as a member of NASCAR’s Board of Directors and is also a member of the company’s Executive Council.
Helton was well-prepared for his new position, to say the least.
In February 1999 he had become the first person outside the France family to take over the day-today operations of NASCAR, when he was named senior vice president and chief operating officer. Prior to that, Helton had served as NASCAR’s vice president for competition since January 1994.
Born and raised in Bristol, VA., Helton’s motorsports experience is multi-faceted. In addition to working for a sanctioning body, during his career he has also been a track operator, and even raced a little himself.
Helton is well-known by NASCAR’s many fans as the man who presides in the “big hauler” on race weekends. He is the voice of authority – and reason.
Helton and his wife, Lynda, reside in Ormond Beach, Fla.
Pat Murray, Coastal Conservation Association
Patrick Murray has worked for the Coastal Conservation Association for 17 years, serving in a variety of positions including both Assistant Director and Executive Director for the Coastal Conservation Association Texas, and as CCA’s National Communications Director, Conservation Director, Executive Vice President and now President.
Murray was a light-tackle fishing guide in the Galveston Bay complex prior to coming to CCA. He has been a lifelong advocate for marine conservation issues and serves on a number of Boards, including the University of Texas Marine Science Advisory Board, Texas A&M Harte Research Institute Board. He is a Board member and Management Committee Chairman for the Center for Coastal Conservation. Murray is also a member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Board and Executive Committee, and is a founding Board member of the Building Conservation Trust. He is a published author and serves as consulting editor for TIDE magazine and Rising Tide magazine.
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?
