NWTF Question? Carl Brown, Dick Rosenlieb and Rob Keck

[cw642]

CW

[DonBo]

I got the email from NWTF about Rob stepping down, then they went on to talk about how nothing illegal had taken place. Made me wonder what had. Apparently you know something we don't. Fill us in please.

[Hotspotter]

From the OutdoorNews. Originally surfaced at Southern Sporting Journal.

Rob Keck departs NWTF

By Steve Piatt

Contributing Writer

Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:36 PM CDT

Edgefield, S.C. - Rob Keck, chief executive officer of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the face of the organization for nearly 30 years, has resigned from that position.

Two others - Chief Operating Officer Carl Brown and Sales and Marketing Vice President Dick Rosenlieb - were ousted by the board of directors, a move sources indicated led to Keck's resignation.

Keck, the longest-serving leader of a conservation group and as a result its highest paid at over $380,000 annually in 2006, has served as chief executive officer of the NWTF for the past 27 years.

His resignation is effective June 1 and NWTF officials said a nationwide search will be conducted for a replacement.

In a brief news release, the NWTF said Keck “has decided, for personal and family reasons, to step aside from his duties.”

The NWTF's national board of directors “reluctantly” accepted Keck's resignation, the news release said.

Under Keck's leadership, the NWTF has grown into one of the nation's premier conservation organizations, a grassroots, nonprofit organization with more than 550,000 members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and 14 other foreign countries.

Along the way, Keck - who joined the NWTF in 1978 after serving as a high school teacher and track coach as well as working for Penn's Woods products - became arguably the most identifiable leader of a conservation organization in the country.

He became CEO just two years later and directed an ambitious restoration of the wild turkey across North America to where birds are now found in 49 states as well as Canada and Mexico. Since 1985, more than $258 million in NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on upholding hunting traditions and conserving more than 13.1 million acres of wildlife habitat.

In addition to the turkey restoration, the NWTF has worked to support hunting's heritage and protect and promote laws that increase hunting opportunity and safety, particularly among young hunters.

Keck didn't comment on whether the firings of Brown and Rosenlieb were a factor in his resignation.

“I was at a point in my life where I decided it was time to make a change,” he told the Southern Sporting Journal.

Sources, however, indicated the national board of directors late last year moved toward dismissing Brown and Rosenlieb, and Keck at that time threatened to resign.

The board “backed off” at that point, but the issue resurfaced recently and Brown and Rosenlieb were ousted, the source said.

Keck said earlier this year an audit was being conducted as part of the organization's strategic planning process.

Brown, like Keck a Pennsylvania native, had worked with NWTF for the past 28 years. He told the Southern Sporting Journal he thought “it is a sad day for the federation” and was “very disappointed” with what transpired.

Rosenlieb had been with NWTF for the past 19 years.

Keck, 57, said he wouldn't retire but rather look for a job that would allow him to have a broader impact in the outdoor industry.

“I would think the (NWTF) would be just fine,” he told the Southern Sporting Journal. “The board will find a good, competent leader in good time. They have a vision that might take the federation in a new direction, but the people we brought up under us can do a very good job.”

Still, the departure of Keck and two other top executives creates an uncertainty that hasn't existed within the NWTF. And it does so as the organization heads into the heart of its fundraising banquet season.

The news of Keck's departure came as a shock to employees at the Edgefield, S.C., headquarters, as well as throughout the country as regional directors, biologists and volunteers attempted to analyze the situation.

“I think it was just a question of the board feeling they could do a better job running the organization,” said one volunteer.

“This is huge,” said another of Keck's departure.

The NWTF was founded in 1973 in Fredericksburg, Va. At that time, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Shortly after its founding, the NWTF moved to its current Edgefield headquarters.

Today, there are now more than 7 million wild turkeys and nearly 3 million turkey hunters. Turkey hunting has become the fastest growing form of hunting and has the second-highest number of participants of any type of hunting, second only to deer hunting.

[Hotspotter]

Lots of rumor and conjecture out there. Many more opinions yet. I didn't agree with alot of the directives Carl put forth, and have some issues with NWTF national. At the same time, the local chapters do good work where active, and shakiness at the top doesn't bode well. There have been some interestingly wordsmithed emails coming from national as of late. Curious as to how it will play out.

Joel

[cw642]

CW

[hanso612]

I had no idea those guys were making that kind of money. This is basically a volunteer organization. I'm sure many good people would take the job for much less. This money should go in the ground not towards administration. How about the Du, PF, and other heads? Anybody have a clue to there compansation? You would think all the perks free trips and gear would make the job worth it. Hans

[Dave S]

Maybe the local chapters will be able to keep more for their efforts in the banquets.

[DonBo]

I don't have much of a problem with the salaries these guys were making. Minnesota alone sent approx 1-1 1/2 mill. (educated guess)to national last year. Multiply that by 50 states and the figures are huge! Look at the money the CEOs of any local compareable corporation makes. I'm sure the time spent on the job by these guys was worth the money. The NWTF has always been one of the top organizations when it comes to the percentage of money raised going back into conservation.

However if something serious is shaking at the top, as a volunteer, I have a huge problem with that! The truth needs to be put out there or I believe many volunteers will wonder if their efforts aren't better put elsewhere.

[cw642]

DonBo is this the email you received?

Dear NWTF Volunteers, National Board Members, Sponsors and Partners,

The last week has been a time of transition for the National Wild Turkey Federation, and we appreciate every one's patience during this effort.

As NWTF’s family pulled together to manage this period of change, our brief inward focus allowed speculation to fill the information gap. Thus, we want to take this opportunity to clarify some important points.

First, the NWTF annually undergoes an audit of its financial statements by a certified public accounting firm. The conclusion of the most recent audit, as has been the case with past audits, is the organization’s statements of position and activities received the highest level of opinion possible on their accuracy.

In addition, no allegations of criminal activity have been made.

While the organization has undergone change, it’s still made up of more than a half million of the most passionate and dedicated volunteers as well as our amazingly supportive and generous partners and sponsors. Because of all these wonderful people, we’re an organization that will emerge from this and move forward into an era of conservation success. We hope you’ll take that journey with us.

Respectfully,

Peggy Anne Vallery

NWTF President

CW

[DonBo]

Yes, this is the one I got. I completely agree with you about their approach to this.

What I heard was Rob Keck was asked to fire the other two and he refused. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[cw642]

CW

[harvey lee]

I would guess they are in for some very difficult times. If monkey business is going on, this will really hurt this group.

[Scott M]

That's unfortunate. I guess my Wild Turkey Bourbon T-shirt that I won in my first NWTF raffle (right after the BPS Turkey Special was drawn) will double in value.

Let's hope things aren't as bad as the rumors sound.

[Dave S]

After reading much of this, there's a large amount of work to be done in order for the NWTF to regain a positive reputation.

It's sad to see the efforts of over a half million people wasted by the actions of a few.

We'll have to sit this one out to see what comes of this fiasco.

CW,

Thanks for the updates.

[imhooked]

Ok. I guess count me confused.

Is there a scandal or the suspicion of one?

[Borch]

Alright guys lets keep this as factual as possible.

I think we can already see the effects that rumors are having on an organization which has and continues to have a large impact on how we now are able to hunt these great birds.

This is unfortunate indeed that this situation with the national organization is going to have a negative impact on all the local chapters. Not to mention all the good things they've done in the past.

[cw642]

I have deleted almost all of the info I have received. Not because it was false. The source of the info is very credible and a very well respected individual. I have chosen to do so because I hate to cause problems with the FM staff, and it is all just "rumors" because NWTF has not posted the facts nor do I believe they will. It seems the NWTF will continue to hide the facts from it members and the only way the common supporter would find out anything is in this type of format. If the fact the NWTF can not come clean and inform it's members of the truth about what is going down, they will suffer dearly in time and my post will have no bearing on the downfall of this organization. So for the time being I'll quit posting the facts as the become available. The ones who want to know will and can find the facts themselves.

CW