Three new names were added to WWA’s traveling Hall of Fame display, in three different categories.
- Director: Paul Suprak
- Member: Scott Williams
- Corporate sponsor: Russell Moccasins
Please join us in welcoming our 6th Annual Hall of Fame Class:
Scott Williams – Member
Scott Williams first attended a meeting of the New Berlin Chapter in 2003 looking for a donation for his Hunter’s Safety program. He stayed for the meeting and joined the chapter.
Scott stayed on the New Berlin committee for three years before jumping over to the West Allis Chapter, serving as both the Chairman and Treasurer starting in 2008 and remaining in those roles for the next 17 years. During his time leading the West Allis committee and helping out at just about every other event WWA held across the state, he managed to be nominated and voted in by WWA staff as their Volunteer of the Year not once, but twice.
Scott is well known among his peers at WWA to the point that if he does not show up at an event you start to worry for his well-being, but usually find out that he was simply forced to work overtime at his paying job. Scott is dedicated to the WWA cause, regularly sponsoring events and always buying raffle tickets.
Scott was a staple in WWA’s sports show booths, always giving of his time to spread the word about WWA, our mission and, of course, his West Allis banquet.
Scotty, welcome to the WWA Hall of Fame!
As written by John Regan, fellow volunteer and Hall of Fame member.
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Paul Suprak – Board Member
Paul’s volunteer work with WWA ran the gamut from founding a chapter to being an officer of the corporation. This knowledge of chapter operations and state organizational responsibilities, coupled with his professional experience as CPA and manager, were key to his significant impact on WWA for over 20 years. He was the right person, with the right skills, at the right time, to guide both chapter and state organization to higher levels of success.
In 1998, Paul and some friends attended WWA’s Southern Lakes Chapter Banquet in Lake Geneva. Shortly thereafter, Paul, Chris Eisenman and friends formed the WWA South Shore Chapter. Paul served as chapter for almost 20 years until he retired and the chapter disbanded in 2017. Paul also served as the chairman and treasurer of the WWA Winchester Sporting Clay shoot for 4 years and assisted with the Southern Lakes Golf Outing. It takes a lot of energy to establish a chapter, and Paul’s leadership and ability to build and sustain a team were critical to that effort.
During his time as chapter treasurer, Paul recruited many sponsors to help support the chapter. He became an expert at efficiently soliciting donations that allowed that chapter to be amongst the leaders in state-wide fundraising, and his no-slip accounting ensured the books balanced and paperwork was complete.
While volunteering with the chapter, Paul also joined WWA’s state Board of Directors in 2001 and was immediately voted in as Board Treasurer, serving until December 2010. This was a challenging time financially for WWA, so Paul’s accounting expertise helped WWA to weather the economic challenges of that era. This included establishing chapter and state accounting practices for improved accountability and creating necessary administrative controls to manage a growing network of chapters. These efforts had a lasting mark on WWA, even to this day.
Paul will always be remembered for his solid advice, professional manor and caring and giving nature.
As written by Tom Seibert, former WWA Regional Director.
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Russell Moccasin – Sponsor
There are certain smells that can take you to a place, real or imagined. That happens every time I walk in to Russell Moccasin. In a word – Real: Real leather, Real craftsmanship, made by Real people that has led to Real support for WWA.
Building one-of-a-kind boots and shoes since 1898, and family owned since 1928, the Russell name has become synonymous with quality customization. Something of a cult exists for their hand-fitted, hand-made foot gear amongst the most serious of outdoor men and women. Saying “I wear Russells” conveys a sense of seriousness about one’s outdoor pursuits.
For the past 15 plus years Russell has made support to WWA a priority, through donations of certificates to banquets, raffles, or calendar fundraising initiatives. This ranges includes boots, shoes or other fine leather goods that have attracted and captivated our public with the Russell aura.
This Hall of Fame level relationship leads directly to one person – Joe Gonyo. Joe’s love of waterfowling, appreciation of WWA’s mission, and his commitment to see it grow brought this important connection to WWA. Which in turn brought other major outdoor brands to the cause of supporting WWA. That list includes Drake, Mossy Oak, Yeti, Avery, Banded and recently Chène and, of course, Long Leaf Camo clothing. The Smell of Partner Success.
Thanks Russell Moccasin and Joe.
As written by Rob Monette, WWA Regional Director
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Each of these inductees has left a mark on WWA warranting inclusion in our virtual hall of fame. And their names will now join previous inductees in our traveling “wall” of fame.
