Born and raised in Kansas City, I’m Ryan Coovert—a true outdoors enthusiast since childhood, passionate about hunting and fishing. I proudly served as a firefighter in the Air Force from 2014 to 2021. Now, I’m the owner and operator of a thriving video production business based in Kansas City. Combining my love for the outdoors with creative storytelling, I bring a unique perspective to every project. Let’s keep those cameras rolling!
April Hoffman is the Founder, CEO, and a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator of Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation. April founded the Nonprofit in 2017 and received MDC Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit in 2018 and a 2021 Collector Permit. Established Wild Souls Alliances (WSA) in 2021 a public charity that supports wildlife conservation efforts, youth programs, public education, wildlife conservation groups, and implemented the first “Shop with a Conservation Agent” in the state of Missouri. 2023 Received US Fish Wildlife Federal Permit. The organization steadily increases 525% growth by Aprils Leadership and ability to manage a 100% Volunteer Operated Organization of 50 volunteers. April has been recognized on several media outlets, social media platforms and awards by various organizations and groups. Missouri Community Service Commission 2023 Show me Awards, Best Nonprofit of Jackson County 2023 , Best Rescue of Jackson 2019, 2020, 2021 , runner up 2022 County , Best Nonprofit of Grain Valley – Grain Valley , Nominee 2022 and 2020 Best Nonprofit Blue Springs, Conservation Organization of the year 2022; CFM
April resides in Lone Jack with her husband. She holds citizenship in Cherokee Nation as a Cherokee Native American, has a daughter, Drury University graduate in Springfield. Grandparents are 3 generations of farmers /ranchers of Missouri.
My husband, horses, and various critters, native and domestic have lived in Warren County for over 29 years. As an avid outdoors gal and a Master Naturalist, I’ve been fortunate to ride, fish, and hike our parks and the unique private spaces throughout Missouri. With so much development coming our way in the last few years it has become even more important to me that we protect our wild areas for access to hunting, fishing, and all recreational activities. To that end, it is clear that to keep our wild areas accessible we must join forces through this affiliate program to be seen on a statewide level. I am currently serving on the board of the Dark Sky Missouri and on the Executive Committee for the Eastern Sierra Club. I’d be honored to join the many voices of CFM.
I currently serve as a CFM Affiliate Board Member asking for re-election. I am a Past-President of the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (MOAFS) and have served as the Chairperson of the Rivers and Streams Technical Committee. I have over 20 years of professional experience working to conserve fisheries and aquatic resources and watersheds that support them. I live in Warsaw where I boat, fish, and swim on Truman and Lake of the Ozarks and I spend as much time as I can on rivers, lakes, or in the woods enjoying Missouri’s natural resources. In my roles within MOAFS I have worked with our membership to promote aquatic conservation and engage with citizens through outreach and education. As an affiliate board member, I will continue to work with the rest of the board to promote and advance the mission of CFM.
NOMINATION PROCESS:
1. To read the descriptions and preferred qualifications, HERE.
2. To read the expectations for a board member, HERE.
3. Complete the nomination form, and upload a photo and short biography HERE.
4. Submit nomination documents no later than November 15, 2023.
The following process will be used to elect four affiliate representatives to join the CFM Board at the conclusion of the CFM Convention.
August – Nominating committee formed by volunteers.
September – Description of the nomination and election process.
September (after Summit) – November 15
November 15
November 15-30
December
December 15
January 1 – 31
February 1 – February 10
March
**Or at the general membership meeting at the time of election of officers and at-large board members.