Delta Waterfowl this month announced a new Chief Executive Officer and Senior Director of Industry Partnerships.
Jason Tharpe, a 22-year veteran of the organization, has been named CEO. He succeeds Dr. Scott Petrie, a waterfowl biologist who led Delta Waterfowl for nearly 10 years.
“I am immensely proud of all that we have accomplished together for ducks and duck hunters, and am deeply appreciative of the dedication, talent and commitment of this team over the past 10 years,” Petrie said.
Petrie led Delta Waterfowl to tremendous growth through the COVID-19 pandemic, including expanding Delta’s Duck Production programs, hunter advocacy programs in the U.S. and his native Canada and invigorating the organizations research and education programs.
Tharpe most recently served as Chief Development Officer, leading Delta Waterfowl’s fundraising department to achieve record growth and playing an instrumental role in the Million Duck Campaign, a $250 investment to produce one million ducks annually.
“I appreciate the Board’s confidence to lead Delta,” Tharpe said. “I’m deeply committed to building on Delta’s success across all out programs. Our vision is to put more ducks into every fall flight to ensure a strong future for duck hunting.
“Everything Delta does is for the benefit of waterfowl and waterfowl hunters. Everyone at Delta — our Board, staff, donors, volunteers and members — is striving to produce more ducks and maximize hunting opportunity. We’re going to work harder than ever to reach our goals,” he continued.
Industry Partnerships Director
On Tuesday, Chris Williams was named Delta Waterfowl’s new Senior Director of Industry Partnerships.
“I am excited for this new challenge and look forward to stewarding long-lasting relationships throughout the waterfowl hunting community,” Williams said.
Williams has been part of the Delta Waterfowl team since 2010. He previously served as the organization’s director of events for the Atlantic Flyway team.
“Chris Williams has a long history of successfully working with waterfowl industry partners in support of Delta’s mission,” Tharpe said. “He has a great passion of waterfowl conservation and is a staunch advocate for hunter recruitment and access.”
In his new role, Williams will develop and maintain relationships with business partners in support of Delta’s waterfowl conservation programs. He will also head up Delta’s Duck Hunters Expo, July 25-27 in Oklahoma City.
“My time at Delta, to date, has been filled with many wonderful memories, relationships with volunteers and countless supporters who I am blessed to call my ‘family’ every day,” Williams said. “In my new role, that will not change. It will be the backbone of how we continue to promote The Duck Hunters Organization with our industry partners and supporters.”
