Jon Nee, the Association's owner and overall general manager. He is the proud father of two young boys that have learned from an early age the value of sportsmanship and habitat.
Jon acquired the Association in 1981 from the group of gentlemen that started it in 1965. Jon transformed the Association from the secular group predominant quail hunting interest into a total sportsman's Association that values all types of hunting. Jon is the one that negotiates the hunting rights to selected properties and then manages the hunting setting gun limits in terms of habitat and matching hunter's desires to the land. While he may not always be available to talk to during hunting seasons, he is most likely in the office supervising reservations taking the final step to insure all have a good hunt. He hunts archery deer, spring turkey, ducks and shoots over a pointer. Bruce Johnson the happy father of one daughter is our wetlands manager responsible for the blinds, levies, pumps and overall habitat development. He also bird hunts, spring turkey and archery deer.
He is an avid duck hunter that has been know to relocate a blind or two between seasons. Shown above is one such example and includes the training of the next generation of MAHA staffers. The reason our wetlands have not just water, but the right level of water to make the most of the duck attracting habitat is due to Bruce's effort. Bruce also, screens land for potential hunting lease in Missouri, posts signs and otherwise performs many of the less exciting aspects Association work. Shaun is the Association's secretary, accountant, files manager and database operator. She is the one that logs in all reservations, processes land contracts and a myriad of daily tasks required to keep the office running. A dedicated and ambitious young lady that seeks to do the very best job she can regardless of the monotony of the task.
The pictures and mounts on the wall around her are just a sample of all that are in our office. The book in front of her is just one state's reservation book. We are still in the stone age on this aspect of the Association and each page represents one calendar week that when consumed is tossed in the trash. John Wenzel, the other fulltime staffer, works out of Kansas. John runs the website, screens potential members, hangs signs, screens land pre and post contract as well as spring turkey hunts, trains and hunts his own dogs having had bird dogs since 14 years old and beagles before that. Deer hunting fills in the remainder of time in between the other pursuits. John is a multi sate hunter covering all regions and is able to give objective comparisons amongst those states.
Perhaps what is important about all the folks on the Association staff is their longevity with the Association. For Jon, Bruce and John they have combined a recreational activity with an income source. What possible better motivation could there be? They measure their success based on the annual membership renewal rate. This type of environment sets the basis for a sound overall work environment where all get along and actually enjoy what they do. Finally, we cannot forget the many members that volunteer to help cover duck blinds, pre screen land for contract consideration, post signs and many other chores that make this Association better than it could ever be with just the staff above. To all these members where listing a hundred names would only leave yet another hundred unlisted we do remember who you are and will always be grateful. Mid-America Hunting AssociationSince 1965 |
