Board Elections

As Jack O’Connor said, “A man is either a sheep hunter or he isn’t”. At nine sheep hunts, and counting, I think it is safe to say that I fell head-first into the “sheep hunter” category. Except, it isn’t just sheep hunting really, is it?  
 
As an adult-onset hunter, I didn’t really know what to expect on my first big game hunt. As the years have passed and I have continued to hunt, the meaning of hunting for me has also evolved. 
 
It is about conservation, foodsourcing, travel, people, experiences and pushing the limits of both your body and your mind and it is about community. To date, I have traveled 6 continents and 13 countries (eight of which I have also hunted in). I have made lifelong friendships around the world with guides, wranglers, outfitters and conservationists. I have seen some of the most amazing places in the world, eaten some of the most delicious cuisines and pushed myself to and beyond any physical and mental limits I could have imagined. 
 
I was born, raised and continue to live in the amazing state of Wyoming. My husband and I both work in the healthcare field and together own and manage four businesses, ranging from ranching to residential real estate to a physician owned ER company. I have been blessed to be married to my best friend and adventure partner and together we raised one daughter and two sons. We are now empty nesters enjoying the high energy of a black lab puppy who joins us on all our domestic adventures. 
 
Volunteering my time with many nonprofit organizations, the majority being hunting and conservation groups has become a passion and one that I spend a considerable amount of effort doing. Currently I serve as the Treasurer for the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation and volunteer 100% of their bookkeeping management. I have a very strong desire to use my time to promote, enhance and share the world of Wild Sheep with both the hunting and the non-hunting communities in order “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain”. 
 

Throughout Larry’s life, his passion for hunting and wildlife conservation has been a driving force, and he’s committed over 35 years to various conservation organizations. 
 
Larry began his work with conservation in the late 1980’s working with Safari Club International as a National Banquet Coordinator, and Chapter Developer. He started a Residential and small commercial construction company in 1990 covering California and Nevada, and continued his work with SCI, serving 8 years as a national director-at-large, and co-chairing their Ethics Committee for 4 years. Larry also helped form the SCI Sutter Buttes chapter, serving as president for 8 years. Moving to Reno Nevada in 2008, he became president of the SCI’s Northern Nevada chapter, serving 2 terms. 
 
Larry brings years of personal and professional experience and knowledge of chapter and membership development and fundraising to WSF assisting with widening the awareness of the foundation and its mission. He currently serves as Chairman of the WSF’s Ethics Committee and manages the annual Sheep Show Raffle, a program he will resign from if elected to the WSF board, required within the Conflict-of- Interest Policy listed within the WSF by-laws. He is a member of WSF’s Chadwick Ram Society, a WSF Summit Life Member, and a Life Member of numerous WSF chapters & affiliates. WSF honored Larry in 2022 presenting him with the President’s Award for his service. 
 
Larry was Nominated for the WSF director position by The Northern Nevada Chapter of SCI, receiving letters of recommendation from, past WSF Chairmen, Doug Sayer & Brett Jefferson, along with, Stanford Atwood, Denis Dale, Sandra Fields, John Bair, Albert D. Seeno, Billy Paganetti, and Lew Webb. Larry himself was bitten hard by Sheep Fever in 2018 harvesting a Dall’s Sheep, and in 2019 he created many memories during a father / son British Columbia Mountain Goat hunt. He is committed to working with WSF to protect our Hunting and conservation fronts while “Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountain®”. He resides in Reno, Nevada with his wife Gay. Together they have three children who have gifted them with nine beautiful grandchildren, many of whom enjoy hunting themselves. 

Kevin was born and raised in Western New York along the Alleghany River. Precious days spent hunting Ruffled Grouse and small game with him is how his hunting passion began.    
 
A career in the Army taught Kevin about leadership, strategic thinking and the power of teamwork. He served in multiple demanding leadership positions as a Special Forces Officer. His greatest experience was being selected for one of the Army’s elite special mission units. Kevin retired from the Army in 2001 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He is a combat veteran whose awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.  
 
Following his Army career, Kevin worked for several corporations managing and starting several small and medium businesses eventually staring and running his own business until his retirement in 2016. 
 
In 2014 he was asked by a good friend, Jack Atcheson Jr, to restart the Wild Sheep Foundation in Alaska. The organization is thriving today with annual revenues approaching $2.0M. The Chapter has also donated over a million dollars since the re-start. Kevin’s service as a full-time volunteer and President of the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation resulted in being recognized by the WSF Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019 and by the Governor of Alaska with Conservationist of the Year Award in 2022.    
 
Kevin is fortunate to have hunted the l four North American wild sheep, the North American 29, and all but one of the Dangerous Seven of Africa. “Funny thing is, I started out to collect trophies and I ended up collecting wonderful friends,” he says seriously. Kevin now hunts with his daughter, Erin, who is an avid hunter and outdoorswoman, and his grandson, Landen, who is about to start big game hunting himself. 

Kevin hopes to bring his strategic planning ability, leadership skills, business acumen and passion for wildlife conservation to the Wild Sheep Foundation Board. His believes that WSF is a super organization that epitomizes the continuous improvement model. It is well staffed with excellent employees and is blessed with a bounty of passionate and talented volunteers. All this combines to give the Foundation virtually limitless potential. 

Kyle Stelter is a conservationist with a profound passion for wildlife conservation, particularly wild sheep. As a loving husband and devoted father, he embodies a deep commitment to preserving the natural world for future generations. With a unique blend of roles as an advocate for wild sheep, a hunter, and a conservation leader, he is making a significant impact in the field of wildlife conservation. 
 
Kyle has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Wild Sheep Foundation including as Vice-Chairman for two years. Since October of 2021, Kyle has been the Chief Executive Officer at the Wild Sheep Society. The Society has experienced remarkable membership growth of over 400% over the past seven years, which is inspiring to see the engagement by members in conservation efforts. Through initiatives like the Monarch Membership program, substantial funds have been directed towards mission programs, with $1.35 million allocated in the past two years alone. 
 
In addition to his roles within the Wild Sheep Foundation and Wild Sheep Society, Kyle also serves as the President of the Mountain Wildlife Conservation Society, a Canadian charity dedicated to preserving wildlife habitats. Through collaborative efforts with various conservation organizations significant contributions to conservation initiatives in British Columbia highlights partnerships for a common cause. 
 
Kyle currently serves as the Wild Sheep Foundation Membership and Marketing and Communications Chair. This has been an incredible opportunity to connect with and serve the Foundation’s dedicated members. WSF has experienced tremendous growth over the past six years, and for Kyle, it is truly a privilege to serve the membership base. Given the opportunity by the Wild Sheep Foundation membership, it would be an honor for Kyle to serve as a Director once again. 
 
With a vision to expand the conservation footprint of North America and elevate the Wild Sheep Foundation as a leading conservation organization, Kyle Stelter continues to drive impactful change in the field of wildlife conservation. Through his leadership roles and unwavering dedication, Kyle is actively working towards a future where wild sheep are protected and thriving worldwide.

I am a veterinarian and have worked with wildlife throughout my career. For 15 years I worked for the states of Oregon and Nevada as an agency wildlife veterinarian. In both jobs I was involved in both their wild sheep and mountain goat programs. This experience provided a broad appreciation of the many challenges whether disease, habitat loss, a changing climate, invasive species or just roads and cars that they are facing. 
 
My goal is to help the WSF family, and the public understand the key threats that can impact wild sheep and are aware of the many ways they can help to preserve a future for iconic animals. I have worked closely with the Professional Resources Board, (PRAB) the Conservation Committee and the Legislative Affairs Committee to create presentations and brochures on the issue of disease and am excited to continue to expand these projects. 
 
I am a nonhunter but fully support the role that hunters play in funding and supporting, with their actions, voices and votes, the preservation of and access to, wildlife and wild places. As a board member I have an opportunity to engage with non- and anti-hunters and educate them that to be preserved, nature must have a value, and hunting is an important and sustainable way to make that happen! 
 
To be effective, WSF must be fiscally sound. This includes money to run the business, and to continue support for on the ground conservation projects no matter what economic crisis, pandemic or whatever else that may come along to upend global markets. I feel that every member of the wild sheep family should contribute at any level they can to achieve full funding of the endowment. As a member of the budget and the membership committees, I want to continue the excellent efforts that these committees are making in membership growth and retention as well fiscal responsibility.  
 
If elected to another term on the Board of Directors, I pledge to serve the Foundation with my time, treasure and talent to the best of my abilities. There’s a lot more work to do to keep happy and healthy sheep on the mountain.