Rick Counts Joins QDMA as Carolinas Regional Director
OutdoorHub 09.10.13
The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is pleased to announce that Rick Counts of Lexington, South Carolina, has joined the organization as the Carolinas Regional Director.
Rick will support QDMA Branches and volunteers while promoting the formation of new Branches in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
“I am very excited about the many opportunities available by working for QDMA,” Rick said. “I am passionate about the outdoors and QDMA’s commitment to conservation and preserving the hunting heritage for our future. As a former coach and educator, I am honored to continue the hunting legacy for our younger generations. QDMA is an outstanding organization, and I look forward to continuing its growth.”
Rick comes to QDMA having worked as an educator and coach for 29 years. He most recently taught at White Knoll High School in South Carolina from 2006-13. During his time at WKHS, Rick created an Outdoor Living Class and co-sponsored the Bass Fishing team and Trout in the Classroom program. Rick is a certified instructor in Hunter Education, Boater Safety, National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), and Project Adventure. Additionally, he started the White Knoll archery team two years ago. The team has finished second in the state both years while also producing the individual male State Champion in 2012. The archery team also qualified for the National Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, both years. This required extensive fundraising efforts in a limited timeframe, and the team raised over $10,000 to offset the cost of the trip.
Beyond the classroom, Rick launched the Habitat Opportunity for Wolves to Learn (HOWL) Project, which involved fundraising with businesses in the White Knoll community to landscape the stadium and surrounding areas of the school. The effort resulted in more that $125,000 being raised through grants and donations.
Rick was introduced to QDMA through Larry Bachman, president of the Midlands Branch, and he became a volunteer on the Midlands Branch banquet committee.
Rick earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of South Carolina in 1984. He and his wife Missy (Hunter) have been married for 28 years. She is employed with Lexington School District One in Special Services as a Homebound Teacher. They have one son, Hunter, a 2013 graduate of Presbyterian College. He is currently employed by the University of South Carolina. The Counts family enjoys following the South Carolina Gamecocks, hunting, fishing and traveling.
