A hunter, angler and businessman, Bill Demmer of Lansing, Mich., has been elected president of America's first conservation organization, the Boone and Crockett Club.
Theodore Roosevelt founded the Boone and Crockett Club in 1887.
The Club's mission includes promoting conservation and management of wildlife and habitat,upholding the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and maintaining records of native NorthAmerican big game species as a gauge of successful conservation and a tool for future management. For 125 years, Club members have helped shape the scientific, political, economic, social, technological and environmental forces affecting natural resource conservation.
“I am truly honored for this opportunity to lead the Boone and Crockett Club,” said Demmer. “My goals include building on our Club’s historic legacy at the forefront of hunting and conservation policy, helping the public understand the leadership role of hunters in conservation today, and enhancing our partnerships with universities.”
Boone and Crockett has endowed four conservation professorships at colleges around the country: Michigan State University, University of Montana, Texas A&M and Oregon State.
Demmer spearheaded the establishment of several conservation programs at Michigan State, including the Boone and Crockett Endowed Chair of Wildlife Conservation, the Boone and Crockett Club Wildlife Extension Specialist, the Demmer Scholars internship program, and the Graduate Specialization in Business Concepts for Environmental Sustainability and Conservation.
Before being elected president, Demmer also served as the Club’s executive vice president of conservation.
Demmer is president and CEO of Demmer Corporation headquartered in Lansing, Mich. He co-founded and is currently a director/investor with the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, and has served as a board member for various committees.
As the Club’s 30th president, Demmer follows the tenure of Ben B. Wallace of Corpus Christie, Texas.
Wallace said, “We’re excited to welcome Bill into his new role as president of Boone and Crockett Club. He has a long history of leadership translating into success, and a deep passion for wildlife and wild places that make him a perfect choice to lead both our organization—and the conservation community overall—into the future.”
Becky Humphries, a regional director for Ducks Unlimited and professional member of Boone and Crockett Club since 2010, said, “Bill Demmer brings a high energy approach to leading his company and now the Boone and Crockett Club. He values strong traditions, but gets people to think creatively about solving today’s problems. His appointment as president of Boone and Crockett Club is a proud moment for Michigan and for the Club.”