BOARD MEMBERS and STAFF
Dan Braman | TEXAS
Chairman of the Board
Dan was born and still resides in South Texas on his ranch in the brush country. Killing his first deer at five years old it’s safe to say that he’s been hunting his entire life. Continuing the family tradition of hunting with hounds he began hunting bobcats with hounds in 1980 and continues to do so today. Dan’s love of turkey hunting began in the mid 80’s and is just as strong today as it ever was. In 1988, he began hunting professionally and these endeavors have taken him across the globe. Dan owns Mellon Creek Outfitters, Bridle Iron South, and WildLifers TV. It’s likely best to end this bio with a quote from Dan, “ The hunting industry has blessed me to do things beyond my wildest expectations, it is time for me to give back.”
Kevin Matthews| ALABAMA
Board of Directors | Chief Operating Officer
Kevin Matthews lives in south Alabama and has 29 years of turkey hunting experience. Matthews has appeared on numerous television shows and hunting DVDs produced by Mossy Oak and Primos. He works with Primos to develop mouth diaphragm calls and is credited with designing the Primos Signature Series, the Hook Hunter Series, and the Hacked Off Series of calls and most recently the Mossy Oak Mouth Call Series. He has hunted and worked with world champion callers Bob Walker, Preston Pittman and Larry Norton to name a few.
Carter Weeks | ALABAMA
Co-Chair of Board | Legal Counsel
Carter Weeks resides in East-Central Alabama and is a second-generation turkey hunter with 30 years of turkey hunting experience. He is a partner of the Samford & Denson Law Firm located in Opelika, Alabama, specializing in corporate and real estate transactions. He is an avid turkey hunter and caller who enjoys giving back to the sport of turkey hunting. He enjoys traveling to hunt turkeys with friends and family and enjoys managing property for deer, waterfowl, and turkeys.
Dave Owens | ALABAMA
Board of Directors
Dave Owens hails from Georgia but currently calls Cherokee, AL home. Dave’s passion for the wild turkey is evident in his dedication to conservation and all it encompasses. Dave has a strong background in turkey hunting and is a very accomplished competitive caller. Dave has claimed the Georgia State Champion and 2018 Grand National Senior Division Open Champion titles to name just two of them. Dave possesses an enthusiasm for helping others as exhibited through his involvement with the KT Team. The KT team is an organization that assists disabled hunters enjoy the outdoors while overcoming the challenges they face. Dave is also the founder of the Pinhoti Project, showcasing a more simplistic, effort-based means of hunting the wild turkey which can be attained by anyone while still putting the focus on the game being pursued. Dave has an uncanny ability to convey the message of TFT to anyone he encounters. Through his vocal support of management practices which benefit not only the wild turkey, but all wildlife, Dave will help TFT continue to grow and succeed.
Terry Rohm | GEORGIA
Board of Directors
Terry Rohm grew up in Perry County, Pennsylvania, the so-called ‘Turkey Calling Capital of the World’, the Rohm family name has been recognized in the turkey industry for decades. Terry’s career started in the outdoor industry working with the late Ben Lee. Winning numerous turkey calling competitions and traveling to different states has allowed Terry to see that all turkey hunters had one thing in common, they loved turkey hunting! Terry is member of the National Wild Turkey Federation's Grand National Hall of Fame.
“As hunters and conservationists, we all need to do our part! Let’s ensure my grandkids, your grandkids, and generations after experience this PASSION that the wild turkey has blessed us with. If we work together, we will have “Turkeys For Tomorrow”.” – Terry Rohm
Ward Burton | VIRGINIA
Board of Directors
Ward Burton resides in Halifax, Virginia. Ward posses a wealth of information and experience that will be instrumental in the future growth of TFT and the preservation of the wild turkey. Ward has a broad background that ranges from NASCAR driver to national spokesperson for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Ward Burton won five NASCAR Cup Series races in his career, but none bigger than the 2002 Daytona 500. Ward has been involved in multiple conservation organizations throughout his life and is the founder of The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. The foundation is the first nonprofit started by a NASCAR driver (1996). Ward has been entrusted throughout his career by many conservation groups to be a voice for wildlife. He has received appointments from multiple Governors and delivered the keynote address for the White House Cooperative Conservation Conference (under the Bush Administration).
Jim Ronquest | ARKANSAS
Board of Directors
Jim Ronquest lives in east-central Arkansas and has been hunting turkeys for 43 years. He appeared in several Primos Truth Series videos and is co-host and producer of the popular RNTV television show on Sportsman Channel. In 2006, he won the prestigious World Duck Calling Championship in Stuttgart, AR. Although Jimbo comes from the duck hunting world, his other passion is spring turkey hunting. Thankfully, he does not have to choose between the two.
Brad Clay | OKLAHOMA
Board of Directors
While growing up in Oklahoma, Brad recalls many mornings of countless gobbles across the cottonwood bottoms found on his family’s ranch. Brad brings with him a devotion to wild turkey conservation and spreading the word of Christ. Brad enjoys speaking to large audiences and has utilized this talent to promote conservation, ethical hunting, and the ministry. Brad is the owner of Full Strut Media and the host of Final Descent Outdoors, an outreach program he established. Final Descent Outdoors is currently one of the most viewed programs on the Pursuit Channel and is seen in 40 million homes. Now, the lack of turkeys on the family ranch is what motivated Brad to look for a solution. Brad demands his four kids be able to experience the same sights and sounds. He found the solution in TFT and the work we are doing to save the wild turkey. There is no doubt that Brad will play a vital role in TFT and will prove to be an invaluable asset to the organization.
Coates Head | LOUISIANA
Board of Directors
Will Dixon | ALABAMA
Board of Directors
Will Dixon lives in the small south Alabama town of Pine Apple. He was raised in West Point, Mississippi, a second-generation turkey hunter with 26 years of turkey hunting experience. He has been involved in the outdoor industry his entire life. He is a registered forester who works for Larson & McGowin Forestry Consultants, LLC managing timber properties for a wide array of clients across south Alabama. His love for the outdoors, especially the wild turkey, is evident in his work and recreation, always making sure that something is given back to the land.
Jason Lupardus | KENTUCKY
Director of Business Operations
Jason Lupardus serves TFT as Director of Business Operations and Partnerships. Jason brings TFT nearly 20 years of experience in conservation with a working background in a state agency, multiple non-profits, and the corporate arena. He is a passionate conservationist that loves the outdoors, especially the wild turkey. Jason has a B.S. and M.S. in wildlife management and forestry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a background as a certified wildlife biologist and owns Wildlife and Land Management Group, LLC.
Pete Daugherty | ALABAMA
Director of Outreach
Reid Duvall | ALABAMA
Treasurer
Reid Duvall resides in Auburn, Alabama and is a third-generation turkey hunter with 16 years of experience in the spring woods. He entered the outdoor industry while attending the University of Alabama, working as an archery tech for outdoor retailer Woods & Water Inc. and aiding in call assembly for Houndstooth Game Calls. He is passionate about spurring meaningful change in conservation and educating new outdoorsmen and women in the sport. Reid now works for Regions Bank and actively provides insight into the financial needs of TFT.
Kevin Tate | MISSISSIPPI
Director of Communications
Ron Jolly | ALABAMA
Founder & Content Creator
Ron Jolly lives in east-central Alabama and has hunted turkeys for six decades. He is one of the original TFT Founding Members, and has served on the Board of Directors in a leadership role. He is an award-winning author, video and television producer, and a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation's Grand National Hall of Fame.
