RMEF state chairs are seasoned volunteers who fill a key leadership role at the state level. They work with the RMEF regional director(s) in their state to help in promoting, supporting and maintaining RMEF’s state-based fundraising programs, projects, procedures and policies. They work with the regional director (RD) to help explain and implement fundraising goals to chapter volunteers and coordinate with the RD to set statewide goals. RDs appoint state chairs annually to serve one-year terms.
Similarly, regional chairs serve one-year terms and are appointed by the RMEF director of field operations for each of RMEF’s three geographic regions (East, Northwest and Southwest). Regional chairs fill a similar role to a state chair, but at the regional level, where they also help mentor state chairs within their geographic area.
“Our state and regional chairs are tremendous resources for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,” said Kirk Murphy, RMEF managing director of Field Operations. “With their leadership, they contribute to making greater impacts for the RMEF mission in their state.”
In 2025, RMEF welcomes eight new state chairs: Christine Hallier (IA), Ray Ames (SD), Anna Soper (WA), Ray Krause (NM), Charles Cook (MO), Joseph Young (CA), Julie Froman (CA) and Alan Reschke (KS).
“We are grateful to have such tremendous leaders volunteering for RMEF and we thank all of them for their commitment to serve in 2025,” added Murphy. “We welcome our new state chairs for 2025 and sincerely appreciate them for stepping up to contribute more for RMEF’s mission.”
If you are looking for an additional RMEF resource to consult in your state, reach out to your regional director and have them put you in contact with your state chair.
AL Andrew Mann
AR Scott Burgess
AZ John Tuter (SW Regional Chair)
CA Joseph Young
CA Julie Froman
CO John Sand
CO Michael Miller
IA Christine Hallier
ID Joe Mabey
IN Bill Mitchell
IN Wendy Mitchell
KS Alan Reschke
LA Mike Bare
MD Steve Bird
MN Jon Sillerud
MN Michael Hoops
MO Charles Cook
MS Eddie Hill
MS Paul Connell
MT Nicole Walker
MT Scott Rosenthal
ND Deb Jenner
ND Paul Eslinger
NE Beau Denker
NM Ray Krause
NV Steve Antonini
OH Austin Collins
OK Gayle Steele
OK Jeff Steele (E. Regional Chair)
OR Rex Walters
PA Vince Pollock
SD Ray Ames
UT Kurt Shepherd
UT Travis Mcilnay
VA Danny Smedley
WA Dan Paulson (NW Regional Chair)
WA Terri Atkinson
WA Anna Soper
WI Nicole Schaefer
WV Brian Satterfield
WY Cindy Gray-Christensen