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President & Chief Executive Officer
M David Allen
A lifelong conservationist with a deep passion for elk and hunting, Allen began his career as Media Director for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association and served as Director of Special Events for Wrangler Jeans. He went on to create his own sports marketing agency where he directed marketing and sponsorships for the Dale Earnhardt/Richard Childress race teams and other NASCAR teams until Dale’s death in 2001 at the Daytona 500. Allen has spent 33 years marketing pro rodeo, the Pro Bull Riders Tour and NASCAR, and served on the board of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Allen brings a profound admiration for the foundation’s 10,000 dedicated volunteers. “Serving on the RMEF’s Board of Directors, I came to recognize our volunteers as real-life heroes of wildlife conservation in this country,” he says. “For no payment other than satisfaction, they put on our Big Game Banquets, roll up old barbed-wire fence, build water guzzlers, seed and reseed lands after fires and a host of other work—all on behalf of elk and other wildlife. They are the kind of conservationists Theodore Roosevelt would brag about. My goal is to give them all the tools they need to make the greatest possible difference.” Born and raised in Deadwood, South Dakota, he studied journalism at the University of Wyoming and now makes his home with his wife and two sons in Billings, Montana. |
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Chief Operations Officer
Rod Triepke
A Montana native, Rod graduated with a degree in Computer Science from the Montana School of Mineral Science and Technology and holds a MBA with a focus on technology management. Rod joined the Elk Foundation in 1993, performing the roles of Software Services Manager, Director of Information Technology, and Chief Information Officer before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2007. Rod is a lifelong hunter, angler and conservationist. Rod also serves as the foundation's Secretary. |
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Chief Financial Officer
Lori Parker, CPA
Lori joined the Elk Foundation in 1999 and has performed the roles of Tax and Compliance Manager, Controller, and Vice President of Accounting & Finance before being promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2007. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lori was in public practice where she focused on tax and nonprofits. Lori graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance. Lori is a Montana native and outdoor enthusiast. |
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Vice President of Marketing
Steve Decker
Steve first joined the RMEF staff in 1989 as an intern while attending the University of Montana where he received a degree in Organizational Communication and studied Resource Conservation. He rejoined the staff in 1997, serving in roles from Field Director to Director of Field Programs before being promoted to Vice President of Marketing in 2010. Steve developed his passion for hunting, fishing and the outdoors growing up in the mountains of northwest Montana. He enjoys those same passions today and is compelled, through the mission and people of RMEF, to pass those traditions on to the following generations. |
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Director of Operations, Division II
Ralph M. Cinfio III
Born and raised in western Nevada Ralph has always had an undeniable connection to our natural world. Ralph graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Wildlife Management. He had received Associate Wildlife Biologist status with The Wildlife Society and was working for the Nevada Division of Wildlife when he joined the Elk Foundation in 1996. Ralph performed the roles of Regional Director and Senior Regional Director before being promoted to Director of Operations in 2008. Ralph is passionate about our natural resources and relishes every day he spends in the field with his family and friends. |
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Director of Operations, Division III
Kirk Murphy
Kirk graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He joined the Elk Foundation in 1993, performing the roles of Chapter Services Coordinator and Regional Director before being promoted to Director of Operations in 2006. Kirk is an avid hunter and angler and loves to spend as much time in the outdoors as possible. |
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Director of Operations, Division I
Don Blakley
Don grew up in the river bottoms of central Illinois where the word elk was rarely heard. He is a life long hunter, fisherman and conservationist with a passion for being outdoors. He came to RMEF in 1996 after completing 12 years with Illinois state government where he enforced the state and federal surface coal mining laws, performed water resources investigations and coal research. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Southern Illinois University. Prior to joining the RMEF staff Don was an RMEF volunteer for 3 years. Don has held several positions at RMEF during his 14 year career ranging from Field Director to Senior Regional Director to Development Officer. A native of Illinois, this USMC veteran makes his home near the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois with his wife, son and daughter. | |
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