Thursday, September 24, 2015

IHEA-USA Names Interim Executive Director

Denver CO—The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)-USA, world leader in developing safe, responsible hunters since 1949, has enlisted the services of John McKay, retired Nevada Department of Wildlife Hunter Education Administrator and prior IHEA-USA Board President, as Interim Executive Director, following the resignation of Steve Hall and the Association's search for a new leader. McKay began his duties September 3rd.

Megan Wisecup, President of the IHEA-USA Board of Directors, expressed both appreciation and confidence in McKay's new role with IHEA-USA. "John comes into the role with a wealth of knowledge regarding Hunter Education needs and the policies and procedures directing IHEA-USA operations. He was instrumental as IHEA-USA President in leading the reorganization of then IHEA to IHEA-USA. The board has full confidence that John will do an outstanding job in his interim role and continue to maintain and grow the organization and assist in the search and hiring process for the new Executive Director this fall/winter.

Wisecup added, "It is our intention to present a new Executive Director at the 2016 IHEA-USA Conference in Vermont."
McKay was raised in western Pennsylvania "…hunting, trapping and fishing the fields, woods and waters." He enlisted in the USAF and was stationed at Nellis AFB in NV, where he ultimately settled after his military tour. His interest in the outdoors led to his 25-year career with the Nevada Dept. of Wildlife. He is a Certified Public Manager and an IHEA Wingshooting Instructor. McKay served as IHEA-USA Zone 1 Representative from 2009-11 and as IHEA/USA President during 2011-13.

"Hunting and Hunter Education have long been integral parts of my personal and professional lives, McKay said. Working with IHEA-USA again affords me the opportunity to become even more involved. I'm honored the Board approached me with the opportunity to serve as Interim Executive Director and assist in the important process of hiring a new permanent Executive Director who will work to keep IHEA-USA and the vital role it plays in Hunter Education current and relevant."

McKay can be reached at exdir@ihea.com; (303) 430-7233.

--IHEA-USA--

IHEA-USA 800 E. 73rd Ave., Unit 2, Denver CO 80229 ● (303) 430-7233 • www.ihea-usa.org

Continuing the Heritage of Hunting Worldwide by Developing Safe, Responsible and Knowledgeable Hunters.

About IHEA-USA: The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) - USA (www.ihea-usa.org) is the professional hunter education association affiliated with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the 50 state hunter education programs. The programs employ 55,000 instructors, many of whom are volunteers, who teach hunting and shooting safety and responsibilities throughout the United States.
Hunter Education courses train and certify more than 700,000 students annually. Since 1949, almost 40 million students have completed hunter education courses that cover firearm safety, bowhunting, wildlife management, field care of game, responsible hunting, landowner relations, wildlife identification, and much more.

Media Contact: Chris Chaffin
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