Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Names David Allen CEO

habitat conservation

By Anne Medley, 12-05-07

David Allen wants to clear up a common misconception about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:

“We are not a hunting club. We don’t intend to be a hunting club. We are a membership organization that has an overwhelming number of hunters…but we’re not doing wildlife conservation to improve our hunting.”

As the newly appointed CEO and President of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Allen (who hails from Billings) plans to return to the core mission of the Foundation—conserving, restoring and enhancing elk and other wildlife habitats.

“We need to keep it simple and stay within ourselves,” he said, “and not be all things to all people.”

Allen takes over from interim President and CEO Walker S. “Buddy” Smith, Jr. who took the reigns when Peter J. Dart resigned from his post on June 15 after four years with the Foundation.

Asked to discuss how his management approach differs from Dart’s, Allen remained neutral.

“Everybody’s different. I am going to rely heavily on the talent and resources we have because we have some extremely talented people.”

Allen brings extensive marketing and business experience to the Foundation, pulling from past positions as media director for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association and marketing director for his own sports marketing agency, among others.

Presently, Allen has no plans to relocate to Missoula from Billings, although he isn’t ruling out the possibility. However, with the creation of a new, Missoula-based Chief Operating Officer position designed to oversee local management at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Allen sees his role as focusing on “the bigger picture.”

For more about Allen’s background and plans for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, click here.

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By Anne Medley, 12-05-07 | comments (4) | email story | print story

Comments

By Craig Moore, 12-05-07

Dart drew an annual salary of something like $200K from RMEF, I read. Perhaps Mr. Allen will be more modest in his salary needs from a non-profit. RMEF's "Elk Country Journal" that appeared on Versus certainly seemed to have a hunting theme tied in with the reason for its elk promotion. I liked the episodes.

By David Allen, 12-06-07

I just want to make sure there are not misconceptions about what I told Ms. Medley when she interviewed me. One significant part of what I said was left out.

RMEF is not a hunting club. However we do subscribe to hunting as a primary conservation tool along with permanent land protection and land stewardship.

REMF will continue to have a hunting show on TV. It will now be on the Outdoor Channel, beginning in 2008.

We appreciate all the support given us by the members and public in general.

By Matthew Frank, 12-06-07

Thank you for the clarification, David.

By cody, 3-13-08

can i sign up for free

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habitat conservation