Will Coates, President

In his previous life, Will was CEO and co-owner of Billy Goat Industries of Lee’s Summit, MO, a leading designer and manufacturer of specialty outdoor power equipment. Will and his brother, Drew, oversaw growth of the business some five-fold after joining the business in the early 1990s. In 2015, he and his brother sold the company to Briggs & Stratton Corp., then the world’s largest manufacturer of air-cooled engines. Will stayed on to oversee the transition from private to public company and to preserve the culture and passion that contributed greatly to the company’s prior success. His primary activities were in business and new product development. Will has served on area private and charitable boards including Summit Bank of Kansas City, Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council and St. Luke’s East Hospital Advisory Board. He credits much of his personal growth and leadership style to his membership in Young Presidents Organization (YPO). The highlight of his service career, however, has been to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. There he shares his love of the Missouri outdoors with like-minded leaders in order that future generations may discover and enjoy the state’s many natural treasures. In his third term as president, he serves by expanding Foundation awareness, fostering board excellence and supporting the Foundation’s intrepid leader and her amazing staff. Originally from the Hill Country of Texas, Will and his bride of 38 years, J.J., call the Village of Loch Lloyd, MO home. Together, they enjoy traveling, cooking, socializing with friends, and spending time with their family. Their summers are spent at Lake of the Ozarks. In addition to volunteering, Will enjoys every moment he can hunting or improving the habitat on the Vernon County farm he shares with his brother.

Judy Hennessey, Vice President

Author Judy Hennessey was active in the automobile industry for over 25 years, and also managed her own advertising agency. She is now a full-time writer. Her works have appeared in multiple magazines and newspapers, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She is actively involved in the film industry, and is executive producer of 20 Ways, an award-winning short film. She has enjoyed serving on the board of New Mexico Women in Film and is a partner in the New Mexico based production company, White Crow Raven Productions. In addition, Hennessey is co-writer of the screenplay adaptation of First Rodeo. She, her husband and horses live on a farm in central Missouri.

Board Members

Nolan Brunnworth

Nolan Brunnworth is a native Missourian and fundraising professional currently serving the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. His career has featured marketing and advancement leadership roles in the higher education, youth services, and healthcare industries. He has been involved in the development of several organizational strategic plans and comprehensive campaigns.
A lifelong conservationist, Nolan enjoys introducing others to the natural wonders of the Show-Me State – especially our beautiful Ozark streams. His outdoor passions include kayaking, canoeing, and ﬁshing. He loves the opportunity to volunteer, and recent roles have included Big Brothers Big Sisters and Bethel Hills. Nolan has two children, Baron and Amelia, and resides near the Missouri River in downtown Washington, Mo.

Corey Carter

Corey Carter currently serves as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Corey was appointed to the bench in 2015. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Corey served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for 10 years with the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, prosecuting felony cases. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (1999) and a Law Degree (2003) both from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He moved to the Kansas City Area after law school to accept the position with the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. Corey, originally from Columbia, Missouri, grew up spending lots of time in the outdoors, fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, and playing sports. He attributes his love for the outdoors to his Grandfather and Father who got him into fishing, hunting, and boy scouts as a child. When Corey is not at work, he loves to spend time with his family, spending time outdoors with his son, following Mizzou sports, and watching the Chiefs. In addition to his personal activities, Corey volunteers as staff member with The American Legion’s Missouri Boys State. Corey is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Jackson County Bar Association, and Clay County Bar Association. Corey also served on the board for The Kansas City Missouri Assessment and Triage Center, an area crisis center for mental health and substance use.

Dr. Scott Darling, DO, RPVI, RVT

Dr. Scott Darling is a Board Certified Sports Medicine physician who has served the Liberty, Missouri community area in private practice since 1999. Raised in rural Northwest Missouri, he developed a lifelong appreciation for hunting, fishing, and conservation, interests that continue to shape both his personal and professional life. During high school, Dr. Darling trained in the taxidermy of wildlife, further strengthening his understanding of anatomy and the natural world.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of Central Missouri before attending medical school at A.T. Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a traditional rotating internship at Bi-County Community Hospital/Michigan State University, followed by residency training in Sports Medicine/ Family Medicine at UMKC/Truman Medical Center in Kansas City. He also gained additional training in Dermatology at Northeast Regional Hospital in Kirksville, Missouri. Dr. Darling is also Board Certified in Vascular/Venous & Lymphatic Medicine and Vascular Ultrasound.

In addition to clinical medicine, Dr. Darling has devoted decades to leadership and community service. He is a past president of the Kearney Lions Club and has served on the Clay County Parks Board since 2014. In this role, he works closely with county leadership and community stakeholders to promote outdoor recreation through infrastructure development and conservation initiatives. He has led efforts to build and install Wood Duck nesting boxes throughout Smithville Lake and continues to encourage conservation involvement through partnerships with the local Boy Scout troop in Kearney, Missouri.

Dr. Darling is an avid duck hunter and an active member of Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl, reflecting his commitment to wetland preservation, wildlife conservation, and responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Dr. Darling is an outdoor photography enthusiast and a strong advocate for time spent outdoors as a tool for improving both physical health and mental well-being. As a Board Certified Sports Medicine Physician, he regularly promotes outdoor activity as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

An accomplished coach and mentor, Dr. Darling is an NRA Certified Level 1 Shotgun Coach and coached his daughter, Allison Darling, who became a collegiate trap shooter at Coe College. In her third year as Team Captain, her team won the ACUI Division III Classic All-American National Championship. He has also coached High School Varsity Boys Basketball, leading a team to the Final Four at Mizzou Arena.

Dr. Darling currently resides in Clay County, Missouri, where he continues to practice medicine, contribute to conservation efforts, and serve the community that he calls home.

Nathan “Shags” McLeod

Nathan “Shags” McLeod grew up in the Pacific Northwest fishing the Columbia River and its tributaries for Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Cutthroat trout and Sturgeon. He’d spend the fall hunting the hills of the Oregon Coast for Blacktail Deer and Roosevelt Elk. He went on to play college basketball in Minnesota for Concordia University. Graduating with a BA degree in Public Relations while trying to fish all of the 10,000 lakes Minnesota had to offer. After graduation he chased his dream of working in radio to Mid-Missouri. The last 15 years have been spent building a passionate and loyal Mid-Missouri fan base who love both a good laugh and conservation within the state. He’s brought his love for the outdoors to the masses through his radio show The 96.7 KCMQ Morning Shag and has become a spokesperson for conservation in the state of Missouri and beyond.

Regina “Gina” Meyer

Regina “Gina” Meyer is the Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources and Public Relations at Mid America Bank. She is responsible for the execution of the bank’s marketing design priorities, workforce planning, employee relations, compensation and benefits management. Meyer has a wide range of experience in the banking industry which includes investments, information technology, and marketing. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia College, a Graduate of MBA School of Bank Management and Graduate School of Banking, Human Resources, University of Madison, WI. In addition to her professional experience, Meyer volunteered her time by serving as Secretary of the Home & School Board, was an active member of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Osage County and Co-Chair of Project Graduation in 2022. Meyer has a strong interest in preserving Missouri’s natural resources. She and her family spend much of their summer weekends camping, kayaking, boating, and fishing the Gasconade River. She and her husband own 70 acres in Maries County, which they work to preserve the natural habitat while increasing the nutrients available for healthy and thriving wildlife. They have two teenage daughters that both participated in MoNASP from elementary into their high school years. She continues to encourage and support youth hunting, fishing, and archery programs. MCHF is an organization that Meyer has followed for a couple of years, and admires the work being done to preserve Missouri’s natural resources and growing conservation partners. She supports MCHF in protecting Missouri’s natural resources and values the work being done in preserving and raising funds for the various service areas

Jeff Stuerman

Jeffrey A. Stuerman is an accomplished, results-oriented, community-minded leader with more than 30-years of executive, c-suite, and board leadership experience. He has an extensive track record of driving enterprise performance and growth through visionary leadership, innovative strategy formulation, process refinements, and creative problem- solving, while also identifying and developing talent and leading high-performing teams. With a career that spans financial and fiduciary services, consulting, politics, and state government, Stuerman is now dedicating his many talents to helping organizations achieve their mission statements through strategic innovation, corporate governance practices and organizational development. His political service followed a distinguished 30-year career in financial services, where he specialized in complex asset management and fiduciary services and leveraged technology and behavioral finance to position companies to better and more efficiently serve clients and their families. Past positions include serving as chairman, president and CEO of the Edward Jones Trust Company, president and CEO of the TIAA-CREF Trust Company, and vice president of the A.G. Edwards Trust Company. He earned a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.

Mark Thomas

Mark and his wife Paula Abell Thomas call Columbia home. Mark grew up in Detroit but has family roots in Missouri. His academic background is in archaeology and history, and he worked for the State Historical Society for a dozen years before joining the Advancement Team at Mizzou. Mark retired from MU in January 2025 after 27 fulfilling years. As a Senior Director for Corporate and Foundation Relations, he had the opportunity to build campus-wide relationships between diverse MU faculty and corporate and foundation leaders. He hopes to use these skill sets and experience to enhance MCHF’s programs, and to help sustain the Missouri Conservation Department’s brilliant work.

Mark and Paula have been bitten by the “birder bug,” and Paula is an award-winning nature photographer. They have visited at least one-third of Missouri’s 1,000+ conservation areas and think of Eagle Bluffs as a “second home.” Mark also enjoys hiking and kayaking, and both he and Paula share a deep appreciation for MDC’s commitment to managing wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of all Missourians to enjoy. Mark believes that our conservation areas and wildlife management practices are the gold standard for America and feels that it’s an honor to work with the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation to help sustain and grow these remarkable resources!

Dr. Kevin Truman

Dr. Kevin Z. Truman is a nationally and internationally recognized higher education leader, engineer, and community advocate whose career has been deﬁned by building partnerships, developing leaders, and creating opportunities that strengthen Missouri’s future. He has spent more than 40 years at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of MO – Kansas City leading organizations, fostering innovation, and connecting education, business, government, and nonproﬁt organizations to address the state’s workforce and economic development needs. Throughout his career, Dr. Truman has successfully led transformational initiatives that have generated more than $100 million in philanthropic support, expanded research and educational opportunities, and developed strategic partnerships across Missouri and around the world. He is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership style, ﬁscal stewardship, and ability to unite diverse stakeholders around a common vision to achieve lasting results. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Truman has dedicated decades to serving nonproﬁt organizations and community initiatives that improve the quality of life for Missourians. He currently serves as Chair of Duckhorn Outdoors, a nonproﬁt organization committed to expanding outdoor recreation opportunities, promoting conservation education, and connecting youth, veterans, and families with Missouri’s natural resources. His passion for the outdoors has made conservation a lifelong personal commitment, grounded in the belief that Missouri’s forests, streams, wildlife, and public lands are among the state’s greatest treasures and must be preserved for future generations.

Carroll Wilkerson

Carroll Wilkerson is both Founder and Senior Wealth Advisor at Wilkerson Advisory Group, a financial planning firm in Columbia, Missouri. He has been a financial advisor for 40 years. Mr. Wilkerson received a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from the University of Missouri in Columbia in May of 1984. Upon graduation, he worked for the Department of Conservation at the Fountain Grove Conservation Area. He began his career with Waddell & Reed in August of 1985 in Kansas City, and earned the Certified Financial Planner™ certification in November 1993. Since, he founded Wilkerson Advisory Group and strives to offer superior financial planning to the mid-Missouri community. Mr. Wilkerson has always been passionate about the outdoors. He is an avid hunter, especially of white tail deer. Some of his most enjoyable days are spent in northeast Missouri on the family farm observing and hunting deer. He has been very active in the past with Boy Scouts of America and served as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 6 in Columbia. He assisted each of his three sons in obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He is also an active supporter of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever and is a Lifetime member of Quails Forever. He and his business partner were the main sponsor of the Women for Wetlands program in Columbia for several years. Mr. Wilkerson is also a member of the NRA and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He and his wife Judy have been married over 30 years and have 5 children: Ryan, Eric, Adam, Kelly and Ashley.

Ken Babcock, Ex-Officio Advisor

Ken Babcock of Jamestown worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation from 1970 through 1997. He worked as a waterfowl research biologist, Assistant Chief and Division Chief of Wildlife Division, and Assistant Director from 1989-1997. After retiring from MDC, Ken went to work for Ducks Unlimited retiring in 2013 as Senior Director of Conservation. After retiring, he moved back to Missouri. He is a life member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and a member of The Wildlife Society for more than 50 years. During his career he was actively involved with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Midwest and Southeast Associations of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Mississippi Flyway Council and Technical Section, The Wildlife Society and served on the Corps of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board.

Jason Sumners, Ex-Officio

Jason Sumners serves as the 10th Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) since its formation in 1937. The Missouri Conservation Commission announced Sumner’s selection effective June 1, 2024. Sumners previously served as the deputy director of resource management for MDC and brings a wealth of of leadership experience in conservation to the role. He began his career at MDC in 2008 as a private lands deer biologist and later became the head of the state’s deer management program. With both field and leadership experience, Sumners has been instrumental in developing the agency’s strategic and operational direction. Sumners received a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Missouri and a Master of Science in Biology from Mississippi State University. He is a National Conservation Leadership fellow, professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club, active with many non-government organizational partners, has represented MDC on numerous regional and national committees, and has been recognized by the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for his leadership in science-based approaches to wildlife conservation. He has published popular and scientific articles on wildlife, natural resources management, and conservation relevancy. Sumners grew up in the small town of Lincoln, Mo., where his love for the outdoors began. His interests include hunting, fishing, and camping. He and his family live in Hartsburg, Mo.

Ray Wagner, Ex-Officio

Ray Wagner serves as Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Missouri Conservation Commission, appointed by Governor Mike Parson in 2023 and confirmed by the Senate in 2024. He previously spent more than 25 years with Enterprise Holdings as Senior Vice President of Global Government and Public Affairs. He earlier held senior roles in Missouri State Government including Chief Legal Counsel to Governor John Ashcroft and Director of the Department of Revenue, and most recently First Assistant Attorney General and Chief Counselor to AG Andrew Bailey. Nationally, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Treasury IRS Oversight Board, serving 10 years including a term as chair. Ray has also contributed extensively to civic and nonprofit leadership, and he taught tax law at Washington University School of Law for 25 years. A lifelong outdoorsman, Ray is active in Ducks Unlimited and the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance and enjoys hunting, fishing and hiking at his Warren County property and duck club in St. Charles County. He earned degrees from St. Louis University, the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law and Washington University School of Law. Ray and his wife, Ann, live in Town and Country and have three children and five grandchildren.

Board of Directors