Erin McDonough Leaves Legacy of Focus and Efficiency at Michigan United Conservation Clubs
OutdoorHub 06.20.14
MUCC Executive Director moves on to become President/CEO of Michigan Oil and Gas Association
After serving as executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) for five years, Erin McDonough has accepted a position as the President and CEO of the Michigan Oil and Gas Association (MOGA). McDonough led MUCC’s return as a conservation powerhouse in Michigan by focusing on its core mission and transitioning to a lean, technologically-advanced and efficient staff. During her tenure, MUCC has achieved multiple policy and program successes and she leaves it moving forward on a productive path.
“We have a small group of highly-qualified candidates ready to step in and continue down the course that Erin has helped us set,” said Jack VanRhee, acting president of Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “The hard part will be choosing between them, but we’re in a great position as an organization and the job of the new executive director will be to help us continue to expand on the successes we’ve had under Erin’s leadership.”
McDonough started at MUCC in 2005 and led its policy and education programs before becoming executive director in 2009. She led the development of strategic, mission-driven plans within MUCC and its return to sustainable financial stability. In the past few years, it has successfully advocated for repeal of the minimum hunting age, reform of hunting and fishing licenses to generate additional funds for conservation while ensuring transparency in how they’re spent, establishing hunting and fishing as rights in Michigan statute, increasing penalties for poachers, and leading the effort to collect over 374,000 signatures for the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to protect hunting rights and ensure that science is used to determine game species.
“I’m proud of the successes we’ve had recently and the organization is in a strong position moving forward,” said McDonough. “I wish the best for the new executive director and look forward to seeing MUCC accomplish great things in the future. I’m excited for a new opportunity to help another great organization continue and expand on its traditions of member-driven, mission-focused excellence.”
McDonough is a Board Member of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, a Trustee of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, member of the Michigan Oil and Gas Advisory Council and a member of the Michigan Society of Association Executives. She holds a Master’s of Science in Resource, Policy and Behavior from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s of Science in Hydrogeology from Central Michigan University. She is also a graduate of Michigan State University’s Natural Resource Leadership Academy and was a participant in the flagship year of MSU’s Natural Resource and Environment Governance Fellowship.
