how it started

In my almost 20 years with NAVHDA many of our paths have crossed – maybe it was while training dogs, hunting, judging, volunteering, or in our support of conservation. However with as many of the fine folks as I’ve met, I realize there are many more who I have not yet had the pleasure to know. Whether we’ve not yet met, or you would like to learn a bit more about me, here is the CliffsNotes version. 

 

My wife Kim and I are high school sweethearts; it was during that time that I was first introduced to her bird dogs. She had a GSP named Ginger that was untrained but naturally driven and talented. Years later, after marriage but before kids, we welcomed our first new puppy, an Epagneul Breton named Ellie. I was determined to “train this pup right”. Before I knew it, I was loading dogs, birds, and equipment into my Ford Mustang excited for any opportunity to learn to train. It could be said I had both a lead foot for my cars and training ambitions. 

 

Fast forward to today, and I have been blessed to have missed shots and watched my dogs make mistakes in 27 different states and one Canadian province. Each year my passion for hunting wild birds in wild places behind well-trained dogs continues to grow. Through those years I’ve run dogs in 25 NAVHDA tests with 16 unique dogs, including 6 Invitationals. This journey led me to the absolute highlight of my NAVHDA career… 

 

Last year I was able to share my latest trip to the Invitational with my oldest daughter Brooke, an experience I will forever treasure. Having kids involved in NAVHDA and hunting centered my focus on the future. Conservation now has a whole new meaning for me. To steal a line from Doug Durnen of the Meat Eater crew, “It's not ours, it's just our turn.” This phrase has helped me realize we all need to do our part to preserve the future of our beloved birds and access to them, which is why I proudly support Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Ruffed Grouse Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Ducks Unlimited, The North American Grouse Partnership, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. I can now add to that list Cookies for Conservation, an organization Brooke started to raise money for conservation. 

 

Although NAVHDA, bird dogs, hunting and conservation fuel the passions that fill my free time, that’s only part of who I am. After high school I attended Drexel University earning a degree in engineering in the fall of 2006. I worked a few years as a design engineer and project manager, then I started my own construction management business which I’m still running today. 

 

 I contribute much of my success to the principles and character I developed in pursuit of the rank of Eagle Scout which I earned in 2000. I believe it was during that time in which I began my path to leadership.  I learned to lead with respect and integrity. I'm very proud of my ability to serve in a manner that earns respect rather than demanding it. I believe the quote is attributed to Socrates stating, “If knowledge is power, knowing what you don't know is wisdom.” My father was not Socrates but always reminded me, “You don't need to have all the answers, as long as you know where to find them.”

 

NAVHDA’s membership has a wealth of knowledge and experience. It's time we listen. I'm excited to earn your vote through the many ideas we will share, but I’ll need your help to make them truly succeed. In exchange for your vote, I promise to listen, respond, and deliver on your concerns. Together we can build a stronger NAVHDA family, and build on our mission to “foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America”.