Meet the Poach and Pay Project Researchers

Boone and Crockett Club's Poach and Pay Project will be led by Dr. Kristy Blevins and Dr. Jonathan Gassett. 

Jonathan Gassett, Ph.D. – WMI Southeastern Field Representative

Jon Gassett is the Southeastern Field Representative for WMI and a Boone and Crockett Professional Member. Jon has more than 20 years’ experience as experience as a biologist, planner, supervisor, and administrator. Prior to joining WMI in 2013, he served as the Commissioner, Wildlife Division Director, and Big Game Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Jon has served as President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and has chaired numerous committees in all three Associations. Jon serves on the Board of Directors of the National Conservation Leadership Institute. Jon is a graduate of the inaugural class of the National Conservation Leadership Institute and holds Ph.D. and M.S. Degrees in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia and a B.S. Degree in Biology from Kennesaw State University.

Over the last 4 decades, he has hunted extensively throughout North America, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. He is married to Kristie Blevins who shares a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and who, as a new hunter, has already taken big game in North America and Africa.

Kristie R. Blevins, Ph.D. – Survey and Statistical Consultant

Kristie Blevins is a Professor in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. She received her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests include wildlife crime, crime prevention, the occupational reactions of criminal justice employees, and corrections. Her work can be found in outlets such as the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Criminal Justice Policy Review, American Journal of Criminal Justice, Deviant Behavior, and International Journal of Police Science and Management. She teaches upper division and graduate level classes in data analysis, research methodology, and statistics.  

Click here for more information about Boone and Crockett Club's Poach and Pay Project.