Appointment reflects TRCP leadership in collaborative wildlife conservation policy

(Washington, D.C.) – Joel Webster, Chief Conservation Officer at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, has been named as 2026 Chairman of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners – a coalition of 52 organizations that represent the interests of America’s millions of hunter-conservationists, professional wildlife and natural resource managers, outdoor recreation users, conservation educators, and wildlife scientists. 

AWCP works to proactively address the most pressing challenges facing sportsmen and sportswomen, wildlife, and our treasured lands and waters by working collaboratively to advance wildlife habitat conservation, public access, and America’s outdoor traditions. AWCP members regularly interact and engage with federal agencies and members of Congress through joint letters and more.  

“AWCP plays a critical role bringing together the whole of the hunting, recreational shooting, wildlife conservation community to advocate for shared outcomes,” said TRCP Chief Conservation Officer and AWCP Chairman Joel Webster. “I’m honored to serve as AWCP chairman and look forward to working with partners to advance policies that benefit wildlife, habitat, and the future of hunting and fishing.” 

In 2024, AWCP released Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume VII (W-21), a consensus-driven policy document that outlines key strategies to conserve wildlife and habitat nationwide, enhance public access, and safeguard America’s outdoor traditions. TRCP played an important role in the development of W-21, helping to shape policy priorities, and advance collaborative solutions reflected in the publication. 

A passionate big game hunter based in Missoula, Montana, Webster has more than two decades of experience in conservation policy and partnership-driven advocacy. Since joining TRCP in 2007, he has helped lead the organization’s work to conserve wildlife habitat and safeguard access to quality places to hunt and fish. He is a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club and previously served on the federal Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council, advising the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on habitat and access priorities.   

In his role as AWCP Chairman, Webster will help guide the coalition’s efforts to advance consensus-based policy recommendations that support wildlife conservation and America’s sporting heritage. 

Learn more about AWCP HERE

Learn more about TRCP’s leadership HERE.  

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

Experts in conservation, policy, and business join the leadership team

(Washington D.C.) – The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is pleased to announce the appointment of four new directors to its leadership team. Meredith Baker, Lindsey Davis, Jack Hazel, and Tony Wasley join the 29-member board that oversees TRCP.

Additionally, longtime TRCP Board Member, Matt Cook, has been elected as the new TRCP Board Chair following the tenure of Alston Watt. Cook is the CEO of SquareTop Capital Partners LLC and has decades of executive and investment experience leading and advising growth-oriented companies, along with a proven track record of strategic leadership and organizational stewardship.

“TRCP is privileged to welcome these four new members to our Board of Directors,” said Matt Cook, TRCP board chair. “Their diverse experience and perspectives will strengthen our organization and help advance our work to conserve hunting, fishing, and the wild places that matter to future generations.”

TRCP continues to rise to the challenge originally set forth by our founder, Jim Range – to unite and amplify our partners’ voices to advance America’s legacy of conservation, habitat, and access. Since our inception almost 25 years ago, TRCP has become the most effective coalition of conservation organizations in the country, all united around Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy.

“We’re pleased to welcome these accomplished leaders and dedicated conservation advocates to the TRCP family,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the TRCP. “Our Board of Directors strengthens and guides our work, helping us unite partners and advance conservation, habitat, and access across the country. I appreciate Alston’s leadership over the last 2 years and look forward to the passion that Matt will bring as Chair. With Meredith, Lindsey, Jack, and Tony joining the Board, TRCP is well positioned to continue delivering on our mission to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.”

Bios for the incoming board members can be found below. To read more about TRCP’s full Board of Directors and leadership team, click HERE.

Meredith Baker

Meredith Attwell Baker was President and CEO of CTIA, the Wireless Association, for 11 years. Prior to that, she was appointed by President Barack Obama as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. Prior to joining the FCC, Meredith served in the Bush Administration as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information as well as the Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Meredith serves on multiple boards, including the Economic Club of Washington, the National Alliance to End Homelessness and St. Christopher’s by the Sea. She has received multiple honors and awards including: Washingtonian’s Most Powerful Women in Washington, Tech Titans and Most Influential People; Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business, Fierce Wireless’ Most Powerful People in Wireless, The Hill’s Top Lobbyist and Washington & Lee University’s Distinguished Alumni. In 2023, she was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame.

Meredith holds a B.A. from Washington & Lee University and a law degree from the University of Houston. She is a member of the Texas State Bar.

Lindsey Davis

Lindsey Davis is an outdoor recreation and conservation leader based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her career in the outdoor industry began when she founded Wylder Goods. For five years, she served as CEO, leading the only women-specific online retailer in the outdoor industry and the first female-founded benefit corporation in the state of Utah. During this time, she also graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Following Wylder, Lindsey served as Senior Vice President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, where she helped establish the organization as the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and businesses.

Lindsey is the Director of Conservation at SITKA Gear and serves on several national conservation boards. An avid outdoorswoman, she spends as much time outside as possible—whether bowhunting, gravel biking, or sharing the joys of nature with her toddler.

Jack Hazel

Jack has built a distinguished career in construction, environmental services, and land stewardship. He spent 25 years with William A. Hazel, Inc., working in site construction, including 10 years as President, where he led an organization of more than 1,000 employees. He later founded Angler Environmental, a firm specializing in wetland construction and stream restoration projects, as well as Angler Construction, a site development company he led for a decade. Jack is currently the owner of Angler Development, which he has successfully operated for more than 25 years.

In addition to his professional leadership, Jack has held numerous civic and nonprofit leadership roles. He has served as President of the Heavy Construction Contractors Association, President of the Young Presidents’ Organization, Chairman of Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Meadows Outdoor Foundation in The Plains, Virginia. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run in McLean, Virginia.

Jack graduated from St. Stephen’s School in Alexandria, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1979.

Tony Wasley

Tony Wasley currently serves as the President and CEO of the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), a non-profit conservation organization founded in 1911 and dedicated to science-based, professional wildlife management. WMI continues to serve as the think tank for conservation in exploring topics like conservation relevancy and compiling a comprehensive set of foundational elements for conservation’s future. Tony is actively involved with the American Wildlife Conservation Partners, sits on the board for the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, chairs the Executive Committee for Conservation without Conflict, and has previously served as a member of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s Policy Committee. He is a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club and The Wildlife Society.

Three members also concluded their time with the TRCP Board of Directors in December: Chris Metz, KC Walsh, and Terry Hamby. Their dedication to the TRCP mission and efforts to help advance America’s legacy of conservation, habitat, and access are to be applauded.

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.