The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates to run for 12 affiliate board positions. Of the 12 board positions, 4 will serve a 3-year term, 4 will serve a 2-year term, and 4 will serve a 1-year term.
NOMINATION PROCESS:
1. To read the descriptions and preferred qualifications, click HERE.
2. To read the expectations for a board member, click HERE.
3. Complete the nomination form, upload photo, and short biography HERE.
4. Submit nomination documents no later than January 25, 2022.
Voting in this election will take place electronically from February 7-18, 2022. Please let your voice be heard. The nominee’s bio and short videos will give you a chance to hear nominees express their views. Once you are ready, click on the vote button for the official CFM Affiliate Board Ballot.
I am a 71-year-old retired police officer and have been a licensed Coast Guard fishing guide since 2007 primarily on Lake of the Ozarks. I have worked with many youth fishing and hunting groups. Prior to them going to an online program, I was an instructor for the Missouri Hunter education program. In the past, I was president of a Quail Forever chapter and held fundraising banquets for them. I have been a member of the Missouri Conservation Federation for many years and feel it may be time to assist in a more defined manner.
My involvement began in 2007 participating in a trail build on the Middle Fork section. In 2009 I became a life member of the OTA taking advantage of opportunities to become certified in multiple areas including chainsaw/cross-cut sawyer, Trail Crew Leader, Wilderness First Aid responder, ACA Kayak instructor, Fire Tech II and Certified Professional Trail Builder. Joining the OTA Board in 2014, I was elected president in 2018. My work ethics began early at a local retail store that eventually was acquired by Walmart. After 20 years (8 in management) I began a 25-year career working for the Cape Girardeau Public Schools retiring in 2018. During those years I also worked 18 years at Bath & Body Work and I continue working at American Eagle (10 yrs) and at MO Trail of Tears SP as a seasonal.
I received a BS in Secondary Education and a MS in Park Administration while previously serving in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan and then the US Army. Professional work includes Missouri State Parks, St. Louis County Parks, city of Clayton (parks) and the US Forest Service in Colorado. Non-resource work includes the National Archives (paper conservator) and the VA (budget analyst and national records officer).
My name is Dawn Marie Griffard, and I am passionate about animal and environmental conservation. I am currently the Chief Executive Officer at World Bird Sanctuary, where our mission includes preserving the earth’s biological diversity by working to protect bird species and their natural environments. We work towards that mission through our three pillars of Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Education.
I moved to St. Louis in 2014 from Buffalo, New York, where I graduated from Villa Maria College with a degree in Fine Arts and Photography. Prior to moving to St. Louis, I worked in the Buffalo Zoo Veterinary Hospital, served as Practice Manager to board-certified avian veterinarian, Dr. Laura Wade, and worked in professional and college live sports broadcast television as an operations producer for ESPN.
Since taking the chief position of Executive Director,and then CEO of World Bird Sanctuary, my team has stabilized finances, redirected strategy, improved staff culture and salaries, embarked on a site plan of rebuilding avian enclosures and renovating buildings, updated our wildlife hospital with proper, advanced equipment, become relevant in conservation ex-situ breeding of endangered vultures, and established strong partnerships in St. Louis and beyond.
My goal is to make World Bird Sanctuary a world-class center for the breeding of endangered birds, establish local to international education programming, and continue to increase the effectiveness of our rehabilitation program.
I enjoy, and therefore excel at, strategic planning, nonprofit development, and program presentation – especially with birds!
I currently live in Bridgeton Missouri with my husband, Mark, who is a sports broadcasting cameraman, canines Roxy and Maggie, parrots Lance, Louie, and Zoey, and feline, Khat. I enjoy reading, gardening, and spending time with my family: daughter Jessica, step-children Patrick, Erin, and Matthew, and grandchildren Audrey and Anderson.
Why I’d like to join the board of CFM:
I’d like to join the CFM board so that I may better understand the greater conservation picture in the state of Missouri, and help establish programs and legislation that advances the protection of its animals and ecosystems.
I am a Past-President of the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (MOAFS) and have served as the Chairperson of the Chapter’s Rivers and Streams Technical Committee. I am a member of CFM and Missouri Stream Teams and am a direct supporter of Stream Teams United. I have over 15 years of professional experience working to conserve fisheries and aquatic resources and the streams and watersheds that support them. In my free time you will likely find me fishing on Lake of the Ozarks or Truman or canoeing and snorkeling in a stream or river somewhere in the state. 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 work with the rest of the board to continue to promote and advance the mission of CFM.
Peter’s work history includes conservation efforts in deserts and urban forests, National Recreation Areas and city parks, non-profits and the Department of the Interior. He currently works as the Superintendent of Parks for the City of St. Charles where he is active with the Missouri Park and Recreation Association’s Park Resource section. Peter continues to promote Missouri conservation efforts through education and outreach programs and through active membership with the Conservation Federation of Missouri. When not working for conservation, he enjoys enjoying the benefits of while hiking, camping, and playing in nature with his wife and 3 sons.
I am retired from a 30 year career with MDC as a conservation agent and private land biologist. I have been active in numerous conservation organizations including the Missouri Trappers Association as district director, fur auction chairman, and delegate to CFM. I am also the chairman of the Missouri Grouse Chapter of QUWF. My wife and I promote native plants by hosting a wildflower tour on our property every year for the last 12 years. I am a hunter, trapper, and fisherman who has enjoyed the outdoors my entire life.
I’m the Executive Director of the Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri. Our mission is to promote healthy, productive and sustainable management of Missouri’s forests and trees. We advocate on behalf of our landowner members for forestry legislation, educate the public about the importance of Missouri forests and about issues concerning our forests and woodlands. I serve as the Administrator for the Missouri Tree Farm System. This is a program offered to woodland owners who are committed to managing their forested property for wood, water, wildlife and recreation. Prior to this position I worked for the Conservation Federation in various jobs for over 18 years. I have experience in management, membership, fundraising, advertising, public relations, and event and meeting planning. I have excellent problem-solving skills and excel at facilitating discussions that assist others to make important decisions. I serve as a member on many forestry and conservation committees and am a life member of CFM.
While earning a biology degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis, I spent summers working at a Camp Fire Girls camp near Rolla. I retired from DNR in 2018 after 14 years enforcing air pollution regulations by performing inspections for DNR and the City of St. Louis. I am Vice President of the Missouri Parks Association where I have served 10 years on the Board of Directors, on the Finance Committee, and as coordinator of the Underserved Populations Outreach Program, a summer program that received a CFM Risberg Grant twice and gets youth to State Parks. I have been an affiliate board member of CFM for two years, serve on the Nominations Committees, and participate on Public/Private Lands, Streams, and Environment resource advisory committees. I live in St. Louis County. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve CFM on the board, representing all affiliates.
My professional background is in public education, with degrees in Education, Media, and Administration from Western Washington University, University of Missouri Columbia, and Missouri State University. I managed the instructional technology program for a local school district and taught MEd students for Drury University. My interests in retirement have all been environmental, with active memberships and leadership positions in Missouri Master Naturalists, Missouri Stream Team, Missourians for Monarchs, Missouri Native Plant Society, and CFM affiliate board member representing Stream Teams United since 2020.
My name is Dan Zerr, I am married to my wife Vickie for 46 years. We have 4 adult children and 5 grandkids. I am recently retired after working for 46 years at the Farmers’ Co-operative Elevator in St. Peters, working my way from laborer to Assistant General Manager and finally as General Manager my last 14 years there. I graduated from St. Dominic High in O’Fallon, MO in 1970. Following this I did spend two years in the U.S. Army, being honorably discharged in 1973. Growing up we hunted small game-like rabbits and squirrels, mostly in the company of my brothers. As we got a little older our attention turned to waterfowl hunting and spent a lot of years developing friendships and instilling a love of the sport in our kids. In 1981 we thought it would be fun to try something new, and gave turkey hunting a try. It changed my life and dedication to conservation. I discovered the National Wild Turkey Federation and became deeply involved in serving on the local and state boards in various capacities. I am currently the State Chapter President. Along with NWTF I also became familiar with CFM, and what great work they do to protect the Department of Conservation from encroachments by the legislature. If you are passionate about the outdoors who wouldn’t want to be involved.
Affiliate Board Member Election Process – 2021-2022
The following process will be used to elect up to 12 affiliate representatives to the CFM Board at the March 2022 CFM Convention. The structure of the vote order will determine the term limits. The top 4 group will have a 3-year term, the next group of 4 will have a 2-year term, and the final group of 4 will have a 1-year term. This one-time structure will establish a new staggered election process.
December 2021 – Nominating committee formed by volunteers.
January 2022 – Finalize nomination form and accompanying materials:
January 25, 2022
January 26- February 4, 2022
January 2022
February 7- 18, 2022
February 21-28, 2022.
March 2022
**Or at a general membership meeting at the time of the election of officers and at-large board members.