ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
Headquartered in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation’s (LAWFF) mission is to enhance and encourage public enjoyment and use of the wildlife and fisheries resources in this state. With this mission, we promote, develop, and expand the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in youth recruitment, environmental education and training, and habitat conservation.
Upon its creation in December 1995, it was envisioned as a Foundation that would promote the welfare of LDWF, reflecting the belief that there was more to accomplish than governmental resources could cover. The proposed Foundation would support department education and research programs with additional resources developed through its own facilities. The concept of a Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation was put to the test when Secretary Herring and a small group of sportsmen and conservationists met to discuss and develop a means for individuals and corporations to partner with LDWF. Don Puckett, former LDWF general counsel, drafted Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and after a few revisions, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation was born. On December 14, 1995, the Articles of Incorporation were signed by six incorporators: John Campbell, Jr., a Baton Rouge attorney, Glynn Carver, a Many businessman (then a Wildlife and Fisheries Commission member), Marc Dupuy, Jr., a Marksville attorney, Jim Hall, a Ruston banker, John Jackson, III, a Metairie attorney and Cliff Penick, a Slidell contractor.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation is a nonprofit, public charitable foundation, tax exempt under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and so recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. LAWFF receives no funding from the State of Louisiana or the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and depends entirely upon contributions from individual and corporate donors. Encouraging support for LDWF programs is the major focus of the Foundation, accomplished by connecting people and businesses with Louisiana’s natural resources. The federal taxpayer identification number is 72-1314968.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kenneth Guidry - President
Natchitoches
A. Kell McInnis III - Vice President
Baton Rouge
Mac Bullock Jr. - Secretary
Baton Rouge
Jeffery Svendson Sr.* - Assistant Secretary
Lafayette
Cliff Penick - Treasurer
Slidell
John W. Barton Jr.*
Baton Rouge
Bob Bush
Lake Charles
Clayton Dickson
Shreveport
Bart Evans
Baton Rouge
Tom Gattle*
Lake Providence
William Hogan
Ruston
John J. Jackson III*
Metarie
Gregory Mula M.D.
Mandeville
John “Jeff” F. Schneider
Ponchatoula
Russ A. Settoon
Pierre Part
*Past President
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EMERITUS STATUS
Gerald A. Boelte
Covington
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Melissa “Missy” Fox - Executive Director
Addis
Rachel Ruiz - Administrative Assistant
St. Amant
Gabe Giffin - Communications Director Consultant
Lafayette