Our Leadership

A Strong Foundation

The success of the NWTF is made possible due to its strong foundation, a volunteer-led board of directors and an executive staff with decades of experience in the world of wildlife conservation. Together, they guide the conservation organization and help direct the NWTF mission related efforts.

 

Meet the President of the Board

Parks Shackelford grew up on a farm in rural Louisiana and moved to Virginia about 30 years ago. He is a lifelong avid hunter and fisherman and is a Guardian Life Sponsor. Shackelford is completing his fourth term on the NWTF National Board and has participated in every board meeting. He has served as chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, chairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, as secretary, and is currently vice president of the board. He has been active in governance, conservation and hunting heritage issues and has a particular interest in the NWTF partnering with other entities to leverage and multiply our organization’s dollars to increase the return on our members’ investment. Shackelford is a member of numerous conservation organizations and his local gun club.

He and his wife, Julie Anna, are active in their church and spend much of their time raising three children, now teenagers, and teaching them to love hunting and the outdoors.

“I support the NWTF’s local and state chapter structure and recognize that volunteers are the strength of the organization and that their dedication is what makes the NWTF so unique,” Shackelford said. “I am committed to strengthening the NWTF’s public image as the primary organization that is the hunter’s advocate.”

Meet Our Co-CEOs

Jason Burckhalter

Jason Burckhalter is co-CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Founded in 1973, the NWTF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve the American wild turkey and preserve the country’s hunting heritage.

Appointed to his co-CEO role in May 2022, Burckhalter leads the NWTF’s membership and fundraising-related duties, including field operations and development, marketing and communications, membership, information technology, and facility management.

Burckhalter previously was NWTF’s chief information officer for three years and before that held positions as vice president of finance and controller with the organization.

Before joining NWTF in 2013, Burckhalter held various executive capacities with for-profit entities including CIO/COO of a national multi-site operation.

An experienced senior level professional in for-profit and nonprofit habitat conservation delivery, Burckhalter has a proven record of successful staff and program management throughout his career. A skilled leader of multi-disciplinary teams, Burckhalter has developed both national and regional level partnerships with public, private, and governmental partners.

Committed to lifelong learning, Burckhalter holds multiple degrees. He is a graduate of Lander University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance/Economics. Burckhalter earned a Master of Business Administration from Augusta University. He also has an accounting degree from Auburn University.

Burckhalter grew up fishing and enjoying the woods from an early age. An avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast, Burckhalter can be found on the water, angling both in-shore and freshwater, or enjoying the woods when he is not coaching his sons’ sports teams. After spending many years in the for-profit space, Burckhalter truly found a home with the National Wild Turkey Federation that allows him to find fulfillment helping preserve the outdoor lifestyle for generations to come.

Burckhalter resides in North Augusta, S.C., with his wife and two children.

Kurt Dyroff

Kurt Dyroff is co-CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Founded in 1973, the NWTF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve the American wild turkey and preserve the country’s hunting heritage.

Appointed to his co-CEO role in May 2022, Dyroff leads mission-related duties for the NWTF, including conservation and government affairs, finance and accounting, and general business support (legal, human resources and land holdings).

Dyroff previously was NWTF’s chief business and finance officer for three years and held positions as director of business development, acting chief of conservation and western director of conservation operations at the organization.

Before joining NWTF in 2014, Dyroff served in various executive conservation capacities at Ducks Unlimited for 10 years.

An experienced senior level professional in nonprofit habitat conservation delivery for nearly 20 years, Dyroff has a proven record of successful staff and program management across the country. This includes the development of both national and regional level partnerships with public, private, and non-governmental partners as well as with private landowners.

Dyroff is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in environmental engineering. Dyroff also is a fellow of the National Conservation Leadership Institute and a member of the Boone and Crockett Club.

Dyroff was born and raised in the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania where he was introduced to the turkey woods at an early age. An avid hunter and fisherman, Dyroff currently resides in northern Idaho with his wife and their two children.

NWTF Foundation Board

The NWTF Foundation and its Board of Directors exist to secure funding for NWTF legacy and long-term capital projects. By creating and communicating the value, importance and reward of the donation experience, the NWTF Foundation works to secure a bright and stable future for the NWTF and its noble mission.