The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation Thursday announced Jerry Regan will serve as the new President starting December 1.

Regan succeeds one of the original founders of the Foundation, Vern Ross, who is retiring after 12 years as Executive Director.

"I am very pleased to share with you that Jerry Regan will begin on December 1, 2016 as the new President of our Wildlife Foundation. Jerry's extensive background developing wildlife programs is a natural fit for our foundation,” said Russ Schleiden Chairman of the Board.  “I am certain he will help to lift our program to a higher level of achievement, which will greatly benefit Pennsylvania's 480 species of wildlife and the habitat in which they need to coexist with the 12 million citizens who also live here."

Regan’s most recent post was as President of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary where he spent more than five years leading one of the world's premier raptor conservation organizations.

Some of his key accomplishments include expanding the organization's educational mission by building the Irma Broun-Kahn Education Building, and growing the staff and programs.

Another notable mark was the building of an award winning accessible trail to the South Lookout which was recognized as the best accessible trail in Pennsylvania. This trail opened up one of the mountain's most breathtaking views for all visitors regardless of their physical challenges.

Under Regan's direction a new book, "Hawk Mountain: A Conservation Success Story," was created and published.

In addition, significant progress was made on land conservation including work with The Nature Conservancy's Working Woodlands Program to put a permanent easement on more than 1,400 acres of Hawk Mountain land.

Prior to Hawk Mountain, Jerry served eight years as the Executive Director of the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg, Dauphin County.   The Sourbeer-Lick Education Building was built during his tenure which secured Ned Smith's extraordinary art collection for Pennsylvania.

He also oversaw the expansion of the staff from three to eleven positions, increased assets to more than $11 million, and constructed a 250-foot accessible footbridge across the Wiconisco Creek that linked the building to its 12 mile trail system.

The Center curated world class exhibits in the Olewine Gallery that included artists John James Audubon, David Sibley, National Geographic photographer, Joel Sartore and renowned British land artist, Andy Goldsworthy.

"The vision of connecting nature, people and the arts is just part of my DNA," said Regan.

Regan worked 10 years for Cornell University as the Deputy Director of the Johnson Museum of Art and was the Major Gifts Officer. He is no stranger to Penn State; as he served as the Financial Director of Penn State Berks Campus.

He is a graduate of Shippensburg University where he completed an MBA. Jerry hails from Towanda, PA.

"I have a great love for nature and wildlife and look forward to working with the foundation and expanding our conservation efforts for all of Pennsylvania's birds, mammals, and people," adds Regan.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation website.

NewsClips:

PA Deer Season Set To Draw More Than 500,000

Schneck: Grandmother, 86, Shoots Her 68th Deer

Deer Season Opens Today In PA

Schneck: Snow Likely To Be Not Help To Hunters Monday

Westmoreland Parks To Allow Goose Hunting

AP: Campus Critters Are Nuts For Penn State’s Squirrel Girl

[Posted Dec. 1, 2016]

12/5/2016