QDMA National Board of Directors Elects New Chairman, Vice Chairman
OutdoorHub 01.30.13
The National Board of Directors of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) has elected Louis P. Batson III of South Carolina its newest chairman and Leon E. Hank of Michigan its newest vice chairman.
Batson and Hank assume their new roles on the Board of Directors from Mark Thomas of Alabama and Jerry Martin of Missouri, who served as chairman and vice chairman, respectively, since 2009. Thomas and Martin will remain members of the Board.
Batson has been a member of QDMA since 2000 and has attended every QDMA National Convention. A member of numerous conservation organizations, Batson’s true passion is whitetails and spending time on his small farm. He has served as a member of QDMA’s Board of Directors since 2005.
Professionally, Batson has served as CEO of Batson Associates, Inc., an architectural firm, since 1981. He was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. Batson earned his Masters of Architecture degree from Clemson University, with a concentration in health facilities planning and design. He and his wife, Cheryl, have three sons, Brady, Daniel and Matthew.
“My number one goal is to help QDMA grow its membership so that all hunters know QDMA is where you go to learn about white-tailed deer; how to enhance the land for deer and how to be a good steward of that land,” said Batson. “It is also important that we introduce people to the outdoors, especially kids, so they can enjoy the bountiful wild resources we’ve been blessed with across this country.”
Leon Hank has been a member of QDMA for 15 years. He served as the Michigan State Chapter president for five years. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for three years and previously served in the role of treasurer. Hank is the author of the book, Proud Hunters, Proud Yoopers, a best-selling regional book about the culture of hunting in Northern Michigan and the QDMA movement in the state.
A Certified Public Accountant, Hank currently works as the Chief Financial Officer for the Municipal Employees Retirement System. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Hank and his wife Susan currently live in Holt, Michigan, and have two children, Jeff Hank and Sara Montero.
“I’ve spent a lifetime admiring and hunting the incredible white-tailed deer,” said Hank. “Every year I learn more about this fascinating and majestic animal. I am honored and humbled at the opportunity to play a role in helping direct an organization whose mission is to ensure the future of deer and deer hunting. I’ve had a chance to work with a number of non-profit associations. In my opinion, QDMA is the finest outdoor group in country and I love what we do and what we stand for.”
