By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bruceross@wi.rr.com
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s March, 2021 Newsletter edition
Mark LaBarbera will take over the role of Executive Director of WWF after George Meyer’s planned retirement later this year
Long-time WWF Executive Director George Meyer will be turning the reins over to Mark LaBarbera to replace him when Meyer retires in July. Federation President Craig Challoner of Omro led the executive search team in a process that began about a year ago when Meyer began planning his retirement after 18 years of building WWF into the largest conservation organization in Wisconsin, with approximately 200 affiliated hunting, fishing and trapping clubs and outdoor-related businesses across the state. Its expansive grassroots network of outdoor enthusiasts is key to the Federation’s ongoing success in fulfilling its mission of supporting conservation education and the advancement of scientifically based professional management of natural resources.
“George, a former DNR Secretary, built the Federation into a large and strong voice for conservation in Wisconsin. His knowledge and advocacy skills raised the visibility and strength of the organization to be a formidable voice for sportsmen and women in the state”, according to Challoner. “Also, George fully understood the importance of youth conservation education and the importance of building the next generation of conservation leaders as shown by the Federation’s creation
“The Federation’s search committee and Board of Directors realized early on that the next Executive Director would have big shoes to fill,” said President Challoner. “We were flooded with applications from a number of states and strong candidates. After narrowing the selection, we brought in seven candidates for interviews, and then narrowed the field to three finalists for a second round of interviews. When Mark accepted our offer, we were confident that we had found someone who could add to our success.”
LaBarbera will work from his home in Hazel Green, Wisconsin, where he lives with his wife, Coni, their Black Lab Sadie, goats and chickens. Like Meyer, he will visit WWF affiliates, partners and conservation stakeholders throughout the state to see and hear first-hand their issues, concerns and successes.
LaBarbera has a long resume in the private and public sector: he spent 19 years helping to build the North American Hunting Club, and launch the North American Fishing Club, Handyman Club of America and other membership groups for gardening, golf and other outdoor recreation activities. When he left in the late ‘90s, they had more than a million members cumulatively, plus magazine, video and television production, book publishing and related businesses. He also served as President of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance.
He was a 2002 Finalist for the prestigious national Budweiser Outdoorsman of the Year conservation award. A sample of his other honors and awards include serving as a Federal Duck Stamp Judge and receiving the 1999-2000 “Teddy Award” for Best Conservation Program as Executive Producer of “America’s Outdoor Heritage.” WWF gave him its 2020 Conservation Communicator of the Year Award. Pheasants Forever awarded him its 2019 Conservationist of the Year Award and National Wild Turkey Federation honored him with 2018 Communicator of the Year. Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers recognized LaBarbera with the 2016 Friend of Science Education Award. “We recognize Mark’s ability to work well with stakeholder groups as diverse as Dane County Conservation League, Madison Audubon and Federation of Great Lakes Sportsmen’s Clubs as well as Safari Club International, Izaak Walton League of America and Friends of NRA,” said Meyer. “Mark will be an outstanding Executive Director for the Federation and will carry it to new heights in conservation in Wisconsin. He is an excellent choice of the Federation’s Board of Directors.”
LaBarbera is current Board Chairman of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, a Lafayette County Delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Co-Chair of Hunting Works for Wisconsin, and a WWF District 10 Director. He represents bird hunters on the Wisconsin Sporting Heritage Council.