Beall, Hayden and Schopp Appointed to Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s National Board of Directors

St. Paul, Minn. – Oct. 11, 2019 – Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever has announced John Beall, Dax Hayden and Keith Schopp as newly elected members of the organization’s National Board of Directors. Sharing a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation and upland hunting, the trio now serves on Pheasants Forever’s 17-member board, which meets quarterly and oversees the operations of Pheasants Forever, Inc. & Quail Forever.

“John Beall, Dax Hayden and Keith Schopp each bring an exciting new skillset to our national board to help guide the future influence of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s wildlife habitat conservation mission,” stated Howard Vincent, President and CEO of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. “With each nominee representing a distinct geography for pheasants and quail, I’m confident they are prepared to help take the organization in new and exciting directions for conservation.”

John Beall – Findlay, Ohio

A lifelong biologist and outdoorsman, John Beall is an alumnus of Morehead State University (KY) and has served Pheasants Forever in multiple capacities since 1990 both as a regional biologist (1990-1998) and government affairs representative (2002-2018). An active participant of the Hancock County Chapter of Pheasants Forever in Ohio and a Patron Member of Pheasants Forever, Beall takes pride in working with his local board members to manage for quality wildlife habitat on private and public lands in Ohio.

“Wildlife habitat conservation has been a central theme to my livelihood since my first employment opportunity with the Ohio Division of Wildlife in 1979,” explained Beall. “To this day, participating with my local chapter in Ohio and being involved with conservation measures at the state level continue to be gratifying experiences that will only be enhanced with my appointment to the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever National Board of Directors.”

With much of his professional career focused in government relations, Beall’s work on Farm Bill conservation titles since 2002 has helped provide impactful, positive legislation for upland game birds and associated grassland wildlife throughout pheasant and quail country. Additionally, Beall served several terms on the North American Wetlands Conservation Act council staff to help deliver acquisition, restoration and management of wetland ecosystems throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Dax Hayden – Windsor, Colorado

An avid wingshooter and current resident of Colorado’s Front Range, Hayden grew up in Goodland, Kansas and graduated from Kansas State University in 1993 with a BS in Agriculture. He joins the national board of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever as an ardent supporter of wildlife conservation, a Life Member of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever, and a managing partner of Hayden Outdoors, LLC, a national sponsor of “The Habitat Organization.”

With more than 25 years in the real estate, banking and insurance industries, Hayden brings a wide knowledge base in land values, agriculture and habitat management efforts to his elected position within Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. Honored by the Realtors Land Institute (RLI) in 2017 with an Apex Award for Ranch Broker of the Year, Hayden’s reputation among the farming/ranching communities of the West makes him a dynamic addition to the National Board of Directors.  

“Land stewardship and the value of quality wildlife habitat cannot be overstated throughout pheasant and quail country,” stated Dax Hayden. “To that end, I’m elated to be part of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s National Board of Directors. This new endeavor allows me to practice what I preach through my business and personal life, helping to ensure a legacy for upland wildlife and public/private lands throughout North America.”

Rounding out an impressive list of life achievements in real estate and ranching, Hayden was the recipient of the 2018 Commercial Broker of the Year Award (Kansas) from the National Association of Realtors, the 2017 RLI APEX Award for Top 20 Land Brokers and led the company to be recognized this past summer as a member of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in America.

Keith Schopp – Freeburg, Illinois

Keith Schopp joins the Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever National Board of Directors as a passionate wingshooter, bird dog enthusiast and conservationist. Schopp’s higher education with an emphasis in journalism at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville led him to a 34-year career with Nestlé Purina PetCare Company where he currently manages communications as the Vice President of Corporate Public Relations.

Schopp joins the national board as a Pheasants Forever Life Member, a participant in the organization’s Build A Wildlife Area program, an attendee of the inaugural National Pheasant Fest in 2003 and a supporter of the Silver Creek Quail Forever Chapter near his hometown in Freeburg, Illinois. As the proud co-owner of five sporting dogs – including three German shorthaired pointers, one Labrador retriever and a rescue Beagle – Schopp sees his transition into the National Board of Directors as natural and looks forward to continue executing the organization’s mission as a contributing entity.

“Having enjoyed both friendships and working relationships with Pheasants Forever since the early-2000’s, I’m eager to help serve in a leadership capacity with the nation’s foremost leader in upland conservation,” explained Schopp. “My career with Purina has enabled me to combine my passion for bird dogs, hunting and habitat with deep connections to wonderful conservation organizations that truly make a difference on the landscape; Pheasants Forever is at the very top of that list.” 

In addition to his professional career, Schopp is an award-winning journalist and columnist with national recognition in features, sports writing, outdoors and commentary. He is the current secretary for the non-profit Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters, an active participant within the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association and a Life Member of the Ruffed Grouse Society. Schopp and his wife, Kathy, recently purchased a recreational property in North Dakota.

About Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 740 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $867 million on 540,000 habitat projects benefiting 18 million acres nationwide.