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| Photo courtesy of NWTF |
| The National Wild Turkey Federation’s CEO turns in his resignation in conjunction with firings of some high level members. |
EDGEFIELD, S.C. NWTF Headquarters — After 30 years of distinguished
service, including 27 years as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Wild
Turkey Federation, Rob Keck has decided, for personal and family reasons, to
step aside from his duties with the Federation as of June 1, 2008.
Wednesday morning, the NWTF's National Board of Directors reluctantly
accepted this decision. Under Mr. Keck's leadership, the NWTF has grown into
one of the nation's premier conservation organizations.
The NWTF is a grassroots, nonprofit organization with more than 550,000
members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico and 14 other foreign countries. It
supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as
well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.
In 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded 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 Edgefield, S.C.,
where it is headquartered today.
service, including 27 years as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Wild
Turkey Federation, Rob Keck has decided, for personal and family reasons, to
step aside from his duties with the Federation as of June 1, 2008.
Wednesday morning, the NWTF's National Board of Directors reluctantly
accepted this decision. Under Mr. Keck's leadership, the NWTF has grown into
one of the nation's premier conservation organizations.
The NWTF is a grassroots, nonprofit organization with more than 550,000
members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico and 14 other foreign countries. It
supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as
well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.
In 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded 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 Edgefield, S.C.,
where it is headquartered today.
Thanks to the work of federal, state and provincial wildlife agencies and the NWTF's many volunteers and partners,
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.
Since 1985, more than $258 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on upholding hunting traditions
and conserving more than 13.1 million acres of wildlife habitat. Hunters have also benefited as the NWTF has
worked tirelessly to support our hunting heritage and protect and promote laws that increase hunting opportunity
and safety.
The NWTF's National Board of Directors will immediately begin a nationwide search for Mr. Keck's successor.
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.
Since 1985, more than $258 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on upholding hunting traditions
and conserving more than 13.1 million acres of wildlife habitat. Hunters have also benefited as the NWTF has
worked tirelessly to support our hunting heritage and protect and promote laws that increase hunting opportunity
and safety.
The NWTF's National Board of Directors will immediately begin a nationwide search for Mr. Keck's successor.
By Doug Howlett and Colin Moore ...
Wow, talk about a quick departure. Less than a week after National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) CEO Rob Keck
was smoozing at the Alabama Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt, the longtime organization head abruptly
announced his resignation this morning during an all-staff meeting. The announcement, a complete surprise to the
staff and industry alike, comes just a day after the federation's board of directors forced Chief Operating Officer Carl
Brown and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dick Rosenlieb to step down.
Keck, who began his career as a high school art teacher, became a volunteer with the fledgling NWTF back in the
mid 1970s. He joined the organization as an employee in 1978 and quickly rose to the ranks of CEO, a position he
has held for 27 years. Under his leadership, the NWTF has grown to more than 550,000 members and stands
among the most viably robust and visible conservation organizations in the outdoor world.
"I was at a point in my life were I decided it was time to make a change," Keck said. He would not comment on if the
firings of Brown and Rosenlieb led to the timing of his decision, citing health and family reasons for his decision.
Sources close to the matter said a move had been made last October during the fall board meeting to oust Brown
and Rosenlieb, both key members of the organization's leadership for many years, and that Keck threatened to
resign if they went through with the move. The effort failed and the leadership team proceeded intact. Until now.
Wow, talk about a quick departure. Less than a week after National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) CEO Rob Keck
was smoozing at the Alabama Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt, the longtime organization head abruptly
announced his resignation this morning during an all-staff meeting. The announcement, a complete surprise to the
staff and industry alike, comes just a day after the federation's board of directors forced Chief Operating Officer Carl
Brown and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dick Rosenlieb to step down.
Keck, who began his career as a high school art teacher, became a volunteer with the fledgling NWTF back in the
mid 1970s. He joined the organization as an employee in 1978 and quickly rose to the ranks of CEO, a position he
has held for 27 years. Under his leadership, the NWTF has grown to more than 550,000 members and stands
among the most viably robust and visible conservation organizations in the outdoor world.
"I was at a point in my life were I decided it was time to make a change," Keck said. He would not comment on if the
firings of Brown and Rosenlieb led to the timing of his decision, citing health and family reasons for his decision.
Sources close to the matter said a move had been made last October during the fall board meeting to oust Brown
and Rosenlieb, both key members of the organization's leadership for many years, and that Keck threatened to
resign if they went through with the move. The effort failed and the leadership team proceeded intact. Until now.
Reached at his home, former COO Carl Brown, declined to discuss specifics, but confirmed
that he was no longer with the federation.
"I think it is a sad day for the Federation, and the future for the organization right now is very
unclear," Brown said. “The culture...that we tried to build there was one of family and at this
moment, all I can say is that I’m very disappointed.”
Brown had worked for the NWTF for 28 years and was responsible for overseeing the
organizations meteoric chapter growth in recent years.
Dick Rosenlieb, the former Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and an employee
with the organization for 19 years, echoed Brown's sentiments.
that he was no longer with the federation.
"I think it is a sad day for the Federation, and the future for the organization right now is very
unclear," Brown said. “The culture...that we tried to build there was one of family and at this
moment, all I can say is that I’m very disappointed.”
Brown had worked for the NWTF for 28 years and was responsible for overseeing the
organizations meteoric chapter growth in recent years.
Dick Rosenlieb, the former Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and an employee
with the organization for 19 years, echoed Brown's sentiments.
| Carl Brown |
| Dick Rosenlieb |
"I hate it because of my relationships with volunteers across the country and the
relationships we had built with so many corporate partners," Rosenlieb said. "I think it's a
shame. I love the Turkey Federation and I hate to see this."
When asked why the board had it out for him and Brown, Rosenlieb noted only that they
apparently wanted to head in a different direction. He said he could not elaborate further.
Sources have said that the board had been investigating certain management practices
at the Federation and that the board's actions were in response to their findings.
Chairman of the board, Jere D. Peak, a longtime NWTF volunteer from Alabama who was
also in attendance at the Alabama Governor's One-Shot Turkey Hunt last week, was
unavailable for comment.
relationships we had built with so many corporate partners," Rosenlieb said. "I think it's a
shame. I love the Turkey Federation and I hate to see this."
When asked why the board had it out for him and Brown, Rosenlieb noted only that they
apparently wanted to head in a different direction. He said he could not elaborate further.
Sources have said that the board had been investigating certain management practices
at the Federation and that the board's actions were in response to their findings.
Chairman of the board, Jere D. Peak, a longtime NWTF volunteer from Alabama who was
also in attendance at the Alabama Governor's One-Shot Turkey Hunt last week, was
unavailable for comment.
Other employees reached for comment refused to speak saying only that they were extremely surprised by the
news. They had not been notifiied of Brown or Rosenlieb's departure.
During a phone call, Keck said that he will stay on with the NWTF until June 1, to help with the transition of power to
a new or interim CEO. His resignation, combined with the departures of Brown and Rosenlieb, leave a huge vacuum
in the organization's leadership. Despite that, Keck says the NWTF should continue to find success.
"I would think the organization will be just fine. (The board) will find a good, competent leader in good time," he said.
"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."
Turkey populations have skyrocketed during Keck's tenure as the organization successfully partnered with state and
federal wildlife agencies to relocate flocks and improve habitat. Keck is also perhaps the most recognized
conservation group leader, known to many sportsmen through his role as host of the NWTF's flagship television
program, Turkey Call, which first aired in the late 1990s.
Keck, 57, said that he was looking forward to finding a job that would allow him to have a broader impact in the
industry, explaining that the health concerns were more of a lifestyle nature than any one particular problem.
"I’ve been known for my part in the return of the wild turkey, but I’ve done a lot more than just (work on behalf of)
turkeys," he said.
When asked if he would be interested in heading up another organization, Keck was emphatic.
"I really have no interest in heading up another organization," he said.
news. They had not been notifiied of Brown or Rosenlieb's departure.
During a phone call, Keck said that he will stay on with the NWTF until June 1, to help with the transition of power to
a new or interim CEO. His resignation, combined with the departures of Brown and Rosenlieb, leave a huge vacuum
in the organization's leadership. Despite that, Keck says the NWTF should continue to find success.
"I would think the organization will be just fine. (The board) will find a good, competent leader in good time," he said.
"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."
Turkey populations have skyrocketed during Keck's tenure as the organization successfully partnered with state and
federal wildlife agencies to relocate flocks and improve habitat. Keck is also perhaps the most recognized
conservation group leader, known to many sportsmen through his role as host of the NWTF's flagship television
program, Turkey Call, which first aired in the late 1990s.
Keck, 57, said that he was looking forward to finding a job that would allow him to have a broader impact in the
industry, explaining that the health concerns were more of a lifestyle nature than any one particular problem.
"I’ve been known for my part in the return of the wild turkey, but I’ve done a lot more than just (work on behalf of)
turkeys," he said.
When asked if he would be interested in heading up another organization, Keck was emphatic.
"I really have no interest in heading up another organization," he said.
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