Hunting Matters

Andy Techmanski is the Founder and CEO of FORLOH, a new premium, technical hunting, fishing and outdoor apparel brand with apparel that is 100% Made in the U.S.A. Before switching paths to pursue his passions for hunting and American-made manufacturing through FORLOH.
Andy worked in the energy sector as CEO of Whitefish Energy Holdings, an energy construction company. On his new career path, Andy is excited to combine his passion for hunting and vision for American-made manufacturing to his latest business venture.
Andy’s vision for FORLOH is for the brand to become a global leader in the hunting and outdoor apparel industry. Andy is based in Whitefish, Mont., where FORLOH is headquartered.

Chief Executive Officer, Boone And Crockett Club
www.boone-crockett.org

Tony was born and raised in Butte, Montana. After graduating high school, he attended two years of college at the Montana School of Mines and then in 1982 moved to the University of Montana. In his senior year he started a film production company, Stoney-Wolf Productions. Stoney-Wolf rapidly expanded and became known for outdoor productions for home entertainment and commercial theatres. The company was also often hired to film under severe and dangerous conditions. After selling the company in 1997, Tony chose a second career in the NGO world of conservation, working first for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as their Vice President of Marketing and Communications, then for Wonders of Wildlife as their executive director, and finally for the Boone and Crockett Club as their Chief Executive Officer, a position he currently serves.

Tony married his wife Jennifer in 2004 and is the proud father of two girls. He hunts and fishes as much as time allows and includes his family whenever possible. All enjoy the great outdoors and share the same passion for wildlife and wild places.

Tony is a National Conservation Leadership Institute Fellow from Cohort 3. He regularly uses this adaptive challenge training as a part of his job and as a volunteer Board member. Tony currently serves on four boards: Wonders of Wildlife, National Museum of Forest Service History, and the Boy Scouts of America, Montana Council, and the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports.

Besides raising his family, Tony’s passion is to continue to play a role in the conservation and conservation education movement and apply his knowledge and experience to help ensure a wildlife legacy for future generations.

Dustin Knutson, Co-Owner of Boyds Gunstocks
boydsgunstocks.com

Boyds Gunstocks was started in 1981 by Randy Boyd and is located in Mitchell, South Dakota. Boyds Gunstocks has grown in size and scope each year, now employing over 100 people to manufacture the strong line of Boyds Gunstocks that are shipped all over the world.

Dustin Knutson is a long-time employee of Boyds Gunstocks and as of January 2020 became the new co-owner. Dustin became Boyds’ general manager after working his way up the ladder from the production floor. Dustin’s experience and expertise ensures that Boyds’ production facility remains modern, efficient, and producing high-quality gunstocks with the latest technology available. Dustin is an avid hunter as well as excellent target shooter and enjoys getting out into the outdoors as much as possible.

Boyds Gunstocks is the largest aftermarket gunstock manufacturer in the world, making stocks for over 155 different gun brands and 1,200 models within those brands.

Trey has been an active member of HSC for eight years.  He has been a convention volunteer on the silent auction committee and move in/move out for the last few years.  Trey has been married to his best friend Laurie-Leigh for ten years.  Trey and Laurie-Leigh have been volunteers and sponsors of the Gazelles luncheon for the past few years.  Trey has purchased a Clay Shoot team every year since becoming a member. Trey is entering into his third year as the HSCF Convention Chair. He is an avid sportsman that has big game hunted and wing shot on three continents.  He is also a member of SCI, Ducks Unlimited, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Coastal Conservation Association.

Aaron Davidson, President/CEO, GUNWERKS

Aaron Davidson has been involved in long range shooting since he traded in his high school
Camaro for his first precision rifle. As a mechanical engineer, his training and experience has
given him a unique insight into solving the problems presented with long range shooting. He
started Gunwerks in 2006. His inventions range from rifle stocks and actions to ballistic turrets,
software, reticles, and ballistic compensating rangefinders. He pioneered work in video
production for television and shooting tips to foster the emerging long range shooting market.
No one has accomplished more to make long range shooting so easy and accessible to the
average guy.

Hon. Bill Brewster, Chairman & Founder, Capitol Hill Consulting Group
United States Head of Delegation, International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation

Former Congressman Bill Brewster serves as Chairman of Capitol Hill Consulting Group and is the United States Head of Delegation for the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation.

Congressman Brewster represented the Third Congressional District of Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997. During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Brewster served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, where he made a profound impact on a wide range of tax, energy, health care and trade legislation. Congressman Brewster also served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure during Highway Reauthorization in 1991 and 1996.

As the first and only practicing pharmacist to serve in the U.S. Congress in the last 30 years, Congressman Brewster made significant contributions to the health care policy debate of the 1990’s. His background in health care allowed him to pave the way for common sense reforms in the nation’s health care system.

Throughout Congressman Brewster’s service in Congress, he used his innate skill of coalition building to bring the two political parties, the Administration and private sector together on a host of legislative and public policy initiatives. The results of Congressman Brewster’s strong coalition and partnering skills are still evident in Congress today. In 1994, he formed the Congressional Oil and Gas Forum, and served as its first Chairman. In addition, Congressman Brewster was Chairman of the Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus and was co-founder of the Blue Dog Coalition (an influential group of pro-business Democrat Members of Congress).

A true leader in building and maintaining strong bipartisan coalitions in Congress, Congressman Brewster was instrumental in organizing the first congressional oil and gas meeting with a sitting U.S. President. The Congressional Oil and Gas Forum included more than 80 U.S. Senators and Representatives all of whom met with President Clinton in 1994 to discuss the plight of the domestic oil and gas producers.

Prior to his service in Congress, Congressman Brewster served 8 years in the Oklahoma State Legislature where he chaired several legislative committees as well as serving as Chairman of several outside business organizations, including Southwest Energy Council, Energy Committee at the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Energy Committee at the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Congressman Brewster holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Business has always been a focal point in Congressman Brewster’s career going back to his work in Oklahoma as a pharmacist, cattle ranch owner, owner of a car dealership and owner of a real estate company.

Mike Boone, TPWF Game Warden and cast member with the popular TV show Lone Star Law

Austin Taylor Program Manager, Gear Up For Game Wardens, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation

Gearupforgamewardens.org

Animalplanet.com/tv-shows/lone-star-law/

Mike Boone has served with the Texas Game Wardens for 28 years. Originally from Magnolia, Texas, Boone earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University in 1991 and completed the Texas Game Warden academy in 1992. He has been stationed in Hardin County since 1993. Boone is actively involved with various community relations and youth outdoor activities and has previously received the Mid-Western Officer of the Year and Shikar Safari Officer of the Year Awards. He is currently active as a cast member with the popular TV show Lone Star Law.

Austin Taylor joined Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) in May 2015. Austin is the Program Manager for TPWF’s Gear Up for Game Wardens program. He serves as the primary liaison between TPWF and the Leadership Council communicating updates, coordinating regional activities by co-chairs, and facilitating fundraising events across the state. Additionally, Austin collaborates with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement staff regarding priority equipment needs, purchases and final delivery of equipment.

David Yeates is the Chief Executive Officer of Texas Wildlife Association, a 35-year-old organization with approximately 10,000 members. TWA focuses on natural resource education, hunter recruitment and retention, while maintaining a robust advocacy presence at the Texas Capitol.

Yeates graduated with an Agricultural Economics degree from Texas A&M University and completed the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He worked in community banking for over 14 years, most recently serving as President of the New Braunfels and Seguin Banking Centers for Prosperity Bank prior to joining TWA in May of 2014.

His family still owns their fifth-generation homestead and continues to farm and ranch in the Rolling Plains of Texas. He is an avid hunter and angler, spending much of his recreational time in the field or on the coast. He has also been an active volunteer for several non-profits including Habitat for Humanity, Ducks Unlimited, and Coastal Conservation Association.

Dr. Matthew Hughes is the Engagement Manager for Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and oversees the Stewards of the Wild program. Matt received his Doctorate degree in Parks and Recreation Management from Clemson University in 2015. Since then, Matt has dedicated his life to helping people get outside and enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer, from camping and hiking, to fishing and hunting.

Brad Luttrell is the Cofounder, CEO of GoWild, a free social media community that helps outdoor enthusiasts learn new skills, find better gear and share their story. He is an award-winning writer, marketing strategist and Creative Director, although his friends mostly just know him for his smoked venison chili. Download the GoWild App at downloadgowild.com.