MISSOULA, MT — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has named six new members to its board of directors. The new members, who will each serve three-year terms, are:
• Wayne Carlton, an expert elk caller, hunting products visionary and celebrity host of Elk Country Journal.
• Larry Devin, an Iowa farm operations manager, owner of a trucking company, and long-time supporter of Elk Country in America’s heartland.
• Richard Gooding, M.D., Plastic Surgeon from New Mexico and past Chairman of the Elk Foundation Board of Directors.
• Marvin J. Kramer, a business executive and forestry biologist from Wisconsin.
• George McCoy, an expert on water quality and land development from Alaska.
• Rob Springer, owner of a roofing business and a passionate wildlife conservationist based in Florida.
The new board members were recently-elected by the Elk Foundation during the foundation’s annual convention in Reno, Nevada. The newly-elected members will help the Elk Foundation make major policy decisions, working through several committees.
“We are proud to welcome these new board members from diverse regions of the country,” said Peter J. Dart, President and CEO of the Elk Foundation. “Their unique talents and backgrounds will help us develop effective strategies to conserve and enhance elk habitat for future generations to enjoy.”
Following are background summaries of the new Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation board members:
Wayne Carlton, Montrose, CO
One of the leading wildlife callers in the world, Wayne Carlton is a legendary hunter and dedicated conservationist. He mastered the art of turkey calling early in his career and, after moving to Colorado, improvised a way to use diaphragm turkey calls to call in wild elk. Wayne was the first person to market the diaphragm elk call as well as designing many other calls and related products for the hunting world. He teaches sportsmen’s seminars across the US and Canada. He is also a long-time host of Elk Country Journal and the World Elk Calling Championships, held each year at the Elk Foundation’s annual convention . Wayne is a lifetime member of the Elk Foundation, and has served previous terms on the Elk Foundation Board of Directors. He’s renewing his commitment to the Elk Foundation mission as a 2007 board member.
Larry Devin, Griswold, Iowa
Larry was a founding member of the Majestic Heartland Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, helping to lead conservation efforts in the Midwest. His efforts with the Iowa State Grants Committee helped set in place hunter education programs across the state. In 2000, Larry was elected the Iowa State Chair for the Elk Foundation. He has supported the Foundation’s Regional Director in developing successful Big Game Banquets in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. His efforts to build relationships with habitat partners and sponsors have made a difference for heartland elk herds. He is the owner of Larry Devin Trucking in Griswold, Iowa.
Richard Gooding, M.D., Albuquerque, NM
Dr. Gooding is a lifetime member of the Elk Foundation, and has previously served on the Board of Directors. He is continuing his commitment with a renewed term on the board in 2007. He has made significant contributions as a member of the Elk Foundation’s Habitat Council. Dr. Gooding is a leading plastic surgeon in New Mexico and a lifetime member of several wildlife conservation groups.
Marvin J. Kramer, Waupaca, WI
The love of wild country is an ideal that has always had powerful meaning to Marvin Kramer. He fought for it in Korea, and he dedicated his career to it as a wildlife biologist. He became a life member of the Elk Foundation to help protect North America’s wild lands, its herds of majestic elk and other wildlife. He continues to manage forest lands and wildlife on his tree farm in Waupaca, Wisconsin.
George McCoy, Girdwood, AK
Over 2,500 acres of elk country are lost every day, and that’s a fact that hits a particular nerve with Dr. George McCoy. While visiting a favorite hunting spot in New Mexico recently, Dr. McCoy was disappointed to find a chain across the gate and a litter of signs saying “Ranchettes for Sale.” Dr. McCoy has dedicated a great deal of time and effort to helping educate young hunters in Alaska about the responsibility of conserving elk, wildlife and their habitat. With a Ph. D. in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry and over 10 years as a Water Quality Specialist, Dr. McCoy fully understands the importance of riparian areas and the critical role they play in supporting wildlife. He’s now applying his passion to help ensure the future of elk country for the enjoyment of future generations.
Rob Springer, Mulberry, FL
An avid outdoorsman, Rob enjoys traveling throughout the United States as a hunter and conservationist. He is a longtime member of the Elk Foundation and many other outdoor conservation organizations. For Rob, conserving our wild lands and wildlife isn’t just an important responsibility; it’s part of the legacy that he hopes to leave for his sons. He wishes for them the same freedoms he has enjoyed; the breathtaking beauty of the wilderness and the exhilaration of the hunt. He supports the Elk Foundation through his individual efforts and through his business, Springer-Peterson Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc. in Lakeland, Florida.
The new appointees come into office as outgoing board members Buddy Smith, Jim Zumbo, Jon Fossel and Cheryl Haralson come to the end of their terms with the organization.
