Michigan United Conservation Clubs Announces Daniel Eichinger as New Executive Director
OutdoorHub 07.16.14
Eichinger Looks to Continue MUCC’s Recent Successes
Michigan United Conservation Clubs announced that it has hired Daniel Eichinger as its new Executive Director. Eichinger returns to MUCC, where he began his career, with extensive legislative, agency, executive and nonprofit experience.
“I am honored to have been chosen to lead MUCC into the future,” said Eichinger. “This is a critical time for conservation in Michigan and during this transition we will sustain the momentum created by our excellent staff and highly engaged members, affiliates, and partners.”
Eichinger was recently the Associate Director for Leasing and Regulatory Services for Central Michigan University. Prior to that, he worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as Policy and Regulations Unit Manager, Assistant to the Chief of the Wildlife Division, and Legislative Liaison. He served as a Conservation Policy Advisor to former Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, and he began his career with Michigan United Conservation Clubs as Director of Membership.
His roots with MUCC go back much further than that, though. He has been connected to MUCC for over 30 years. His father, John Eichinger, served as MUCC President from 1984 to 1985, and his grandfather, Ryan Bontekoe, served as MUCC President in 1977. Daniel Eichinger has been an active member of MUCC, too: just last year, he drafted a policy resolution for the Annual Convention.
Eichinger has worked on a wide range of conservation issues throughout his career and counts the passage of the Recreation Passport, working toward the delisting of the Gray Wolf from the endangered species list, and expanding youth hunting opportunities through the elimination of the minimum hunting age (which began as an MUCC resolution) as among the most gratifying.
“We’re very excited to have Dan join the MUCC team,” said Ron Burris, President of the MUCC Board of Directors. “He brings a tremendous passion for conservation and we’re confident he’ll hit the ground running and advance our mission of conserving, protecting and enhancing Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.”
Eichinger holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Central Michigan University, a Master’s of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. He will begin his day to day duties with MUCC on July 30, 2014.
