Contact: Michael Christensen
Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc.
310 E 2nd
Wichita, KS 67202
316-290-8883
mchristensen@outdoormentors.org
http://www.outdoormentors.org
Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. Announces New Board of Directors
July 25, 2019, Wichita, KS – Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc. Board Chairman Ryan Bronson announced the addition of three new members to the Board of Directors. Joining the board are Julie McQueen, President of CarbonTV, Scott Vance, President and CEO of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and Brett Walton, President of Walton’s Inc. These new members join Ryan Bronson and Eric Dinger, President of Powderhook, on the five-member board.
“We have added a diverse mix of thoughtful outdoor professionals to help guide Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors to the next level of success,” Bronson said. “Our combined skill sets will help the staff and volunteers succeed in bringing new outdoorspeople into the fold.”
Julie McQueen is the President of CarbonTV, the largest OTT platform for digital distribution of outdoor content and is also the Producer and Host of Outdoor Weekly, the industries only weekly news show. She has been working in the outdoor industry for over 10 years, and has remained multi-faceted by writing, producing, speaking, hosting, and serving as an ambassador for many conservation organizations. Julie has produced and hosted multiple hunting television shows, which in turn led to her unique opportunity with CarbonTV. She has been a prominent voice for the outdoor community, and has built her platform on positive momentum and dedication to preserving our heritage.
Julie is well known as a source of empowerment for females who want to develop a career in the outdoor world, often consulting with those who need guidance. Her knowledge of the industry, her professionalism, and her ability to forward model and think ahead have catapulted her to the top of her career.
Scott Vance is the Executive Director for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA). He’s been with the USA since September, 2016. His goals are to continue to grow the organization, more deeply engage and reward its members, expand the Work Boots on the Ground Program to a nationally renowned access program and to create community-based conservation programs that connect labor Union workers and their families to the outdoors and preserve our outdoor heritage.
Scott grew up in the mountains of western North Carolina where he developed a strong tie to his family, the land and its natural resources. He spent his early childhood chasing squirrels and rabbits and helping his grandparents on their small farms. He remembers hunting rabbits with his grandpa's beagles long before he was old enough to carry a gun. His grandpa said that Scott was the best jump dog he ever owned!
Scott received a Bachelor's degree in environmental science from East Carolina University and a Master’s degree in wildlife and environmental toxicology from Clemson University. Scott has spent 22 years in the wildlife profession working as a District Supervisor for several state wildlife agencies and the last 15 years working at the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Scott is an esteemed Fellow of the National Conservation Leadership Institute and has served on numerous International committees to conserve wildlife habitat and populations across North America. Perhaps his proudest accomplishment is leading an International, multi-cultural program which restored Gould’s wild turkeys to southeastern Arizona.
Scott is an avid hunter, angler, and recreational shooter. He also enjoys dog training, weight lifting, and scuba diving. His greatest reward is introducing others to the wonders of the outdoors and the challenges and adventures of being afield. He now spends every possible moment with his beautiful wife and twelve-year-old son taking him into the outdoors, coaching baseball, and teaching him to be a responsible, ethical and respectful young man and conservationist.
Scott commented, "I grew up hunting, fishing and loving the outdoors. I want to give back in every way I can to help others develop a deep love, admiration and respect for all that God's glorious creation offers us. Working with Pass It On gives me the opportunity to make a difference in young people's lives and pass on the heritage that I dearly love."
Brett Walton is the CEO and President of Walton’s Inc. Walton’s distributes meat processing supplies and equipment to independent and home meat processors. In 1996, Brett and his Dad (Don) purchased Holly-Harneds and merged the company with Don’s previous business to form what exists today as Walton’s Inc. Don retired in 2009 and Brett assumed the role of CEO.
Brett was born, raised, and has spent his entire life near Wichita, Kansas. He spent part of his young life raising hogs at home and workings on farms. Brett’s first experience in the meat industry was working for a small meat processor while in high school. He spent 13 years working in the corrugated box industry before joining his Dad to create the company known today as Walton’s Inc.
Brett has previously served on the board of the American Association of Meat Processors, The Kansas Association of Meat Processors, and the Holy Cross Lutheran Church Council. He received the Kansas Meat Processors Association Distinguished Service Award in 2018, and he received the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors Achievement Award in 2014.
In 1985, Brett married Sandy, and they now have four children (Cole, Austin, Dylan and Ali) and three grandsons (Hudson, Bowan and Leo). Brett enjoys activities with his family, such as hunting upland birds, Kansas State football games, and ATV riding in Colorado.
Pass it On Outdoor Mentors executive director Mike Christensen emphasized that all members of the National Board are volunteers offering their expertise, time, and effort on behalf of Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors. "I am excited to have these individuals join our Board as we move to expand our reach with our outdoor mentoring program. Having them join us gives us a base to guide the kind of growth and expansion that we want to see with the organization."
About Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc.
Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors is a Wichita, Kansas-based national organization dedicated to providing children with mentors who will share with them the experiences of traditional outdoor activities. The heart of the group's mission is to give children opportunities to connect with nature that they more than likely won't have without a mentor showing them the way. Partnering with organizations with like-minded preservation and youth participation efforts like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pheasants Forever, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, among others, volunteers with a passion for the outdoors can give a child the chance to go fish, hunt, or simply spend time in the fields with a caring adult. For more information about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, please visit www.outdoormentors.org.