Meet the VIPs of the 2023 Old West Invitational Turkey Hunt.
Governor Mark Gordon
Governor of Wyoming
Mark Gordon was elected Wyoming’s 33rd Governor on November 6, 2018. He was sworn into office on January 7, 2019.
Growing up on the family ranch in Johnson County, Governor Gordon learned the values of hard work and integrity and the importance of working together. As governor, he prings those values to the table in pursuring his commitment that Wyoming continues to be a place where its citizens can pursue their dreams while retaining its unique character. He is a strong believer in Wyoming’s ability to chart its own course and a staunch defender of its interests to do so.
Governor Gordon is working on efforts to set Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path and making government more accessible, productive, and efficient. As part of those efforts, Gordon seeks to refocus government to better assist local communities with the tools and resources needed to thrive and set their own direction. He is also dedicated to ensuring that citizens have access to quality education, including safer schools, advanced degrees, and career and technical education opportunities.
Governor Gordon served as Wyoming State Treasurer from October 2012 until January 2019 when he was sworn in as Governor. As State Treasurer, he led a transformation of the office resulting in improved teturns on state investments, better protection of state savings, and increased transparency and access to state financial data for the public. His efforts to improve transpareancy surrounding the state’s financial portfolio resulted in Wyoming being ranked number one in the United States for transparency and the third in the world among all sovereign funds.
Governor Gordon and his wife Jennie have four grown children, Aaron with wife Megan, Bea with husband Austen, Anne with partner Bracewell, and Spencer with wife Sarah and their sone Everett.
Dave Freudenthal
Former Governor of Wyoming
Dave graduated in 1973 from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in economics. After graduating he joined the Department of Economic Planning and Development as an economist and later became the state planning director for Governor Ed Herschler.
Freudenthal entered the University of Wyoming College of Law receiving his law degree in 1980 and went into private practice. In 1994, he was appointed U.S. Attorney upon the recommendation of then-Governor Mike Sullivan and left the post of U.S. Attorney in May 2001.
Dave became the 31st Governor of the Sate of Wyoming in January 2003 serving two terms until January 2011.
Wayne Hubbard
Host and Producer of Urban American OUtdoors
Wayne Hubbard is the Host and Producer of the award-winning program Urban American Outdoors, one of the first cross-cultural reality sports adventure TV shows in the country, which has been airing weekly since 2003. Wayne is a successful businessman, avid outdoorsman and conservationist from Kansas City who came up with this special concept in 1998.
Growing up in a family of active outdoorsmen, Wayne quickly came to appreciate wildlife and outdoor adventures. Urban American Outdoors (UAO) was created to embody the full outdoor lifestyle. Wayne’s weekly audiences include a diverse demographic as well as the traditional outdoor enthusiasts, women, and children.
Along with fishing, hunting, hiking, camping or motorsports adventures, Wayne emphasizes outdoor safety tips, conservation, cultural and historical locations and even shows his audience how to prepare delicious wild game and fish dishes. Over the last decade Wayne and his crew have been able to achieve so much in the outdoor industry by creating an award winning and Emmy nominated TV program that has made an impact on the outdoor TV world and has made the majority of traditional shows step up their game. UAO has won over 78 broadcast industry awards as well as congressional recognitions, state and local proclamations, and resolutions.
Wayne also created Urban Kids Fish for the youth in the city and The Urban Sportsman Feeding the Hungry Program to help feed the people. He has also created spinoff show, Urban Soul Wild and Urban Outdoors Adventures. He currently sits on several federal advisory boards, councils, and committees. Wayne enjoys living the outdoors lifestyle and will continue helping people who have had no voice to speak freely about their love of the Great Outdoors because he wholeheartedly believes that outdoors is for everyone.
Zach & Mary O'Neill Phillips
Country Outdoors
Mary O’Neill Phillips is an Australian entertainer and outdoorswoman who has worked across a range of dramatic, radio, and lifestyle programs.
Splitting her time between Nashville, Springfield, Missouri, and Australia, Mary has built a strong reputation in the world of country music through her digital platform Honeyon the Railroad. She has worked on many of the industry’s biggest events as a blogger, red carpet host, and on-air personality on several major television networks. Her faith, good humor, and hard work ethic have been crucial to her perseverance in the entertainment industry for the better part of 12 years, and have seen her work on productions in Australia and the United States. Hailing from New South Wales, Australia, Mary’s Australian accent and indomitable spirit are her trademarks.
Zach Phillips is an outdoor video producer who has worked in the hunting industry for 10 years. He has worked with some of the top talent in this space and is extremely talented at his craft. He grew up in Georgia and is an avid turkey hunter and outdoorsman. He will be co-hosting these films as well as filming photography and editing.
Country Outdoors is a brand that brings together the worlds of country music and the great outdoors. What started as a podcast has grown into a new brand with a world-class lifestuyle website, seasonal outdoor adventure tours, a live concert series on the Outdoor Channel, and monthly at the Listening Room Café in Nashville. The Country Outdoors Podcast provides interviews with country music’s biggest names about their music and outdoor passions.
Candice Price
Founder and CEO, Urban American Productions
Candice Price is the first African American woman to create, own and produce an award winning cross-cultural outdoor lifestyle TV program in the country. She is the CEO and owner of Urban American Productions which produced Urban American Outdoors with Host Wayne Hubbard. The show and concept were created in 1998 and has been in syndication on air nonstop since the fall of 2003.
The TV show was created to show that outdoors was for everyone through the lens of nature, conservation, environment, and outdoor recreation. The focus was to get more people to connect to the outdoors, through visual presentations and images of all people in the outdoors which struck a major chord and garnered much attention with viewers. It touched upon cultural and historical events while weaving a good story that all people could enjoy and relate to. The program has won over 78 broadcast and cable industry awards, is 4x EMMY nominated, and has also been
bestowed proclamations, resolutions, and congressional recognitions from local, state, and federal government. Candice has been invited to the White House on several occasions to advise on conservation issues, policy, and discussions.
In 2012 Candice was appointed by Secretary Tom Vilsack of the USDA to a Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) as Representative for youth, diversity outreach, racial and ethnic minorities for the US Forest Service Planning Rule 2012. She made recommendations for implementation to the US Forest Service on which they had
worked diligently over 5 years. Candice and Wayne also created SODAS Life (Saving Our Daughters and Sons Life) their 501c3 to do youth outdoor recreation and STEAM activities nationally.
Candice has a BA degree in Communications from the University of Missouri Kansas City, as well as a degree in music from the Conservatory of Music. Candice loves her lifestyle of outdoors and adventures with her husband Wayne as they travel and work to encourage others to engage, connect and enjoy the open spaces and public lands that belong to us all. Candice is currently a Board Member of Trout Unlimited.
Mo Pitney
Country Music Artist
Curb Records recording artist, Mo Pitney, received a standing ovation the very first time he performed on the iconic Grand Ole Opry stage. Named an “Artist To Watch” by Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The Bobby Bones Show, Pitney has amassed over 36 million streams with the release of his autobiographical debut, Behind This Guitar, and sophomore project, Ain’t Lookin’ Back.
The Illinois-native leans on the influences of traditional country stalwarts like Ray Price, Buck Owens, Roger Miller, and Merle Haggard, as well as Bluegrass greats J.D. Crowe, Del McCoury, and the legendary James Taylor. His original song, “Ain’t Bad for a Good Ol’ Boy,”was featured on The Ranch (A Netflix Original
Series Official Soundtrack).
Mo Pitney revisits his roots with his current bluegrass release, “Old Home Place,” featuring J.D. Crowe, Jerry Douglas, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs, Jon Randall, and more. Pitney shares, “The first time I ever heard “Old Home Place” was on a J.D. Crowe and The New South album when I was a young kid. I learned that version and would play it with my dad and my brother when we were touring Bluegrass festivals growing up. When I was in the studio to record my current album, Ain’t Lookin’ Back, I started playing the song to warm up. My producer, Jim “Moose” Brown, said “Mo, let’s just play through that to get the jitters out, and don’t freak out when the band comes in,” and he recorded it.
Then, my producer felt compelled to play the track for Marty Stuart, who liked it so much, he expressed interest in being part of it. That lead to a conversation with Skaggs, who also wanted to play on it. From there, we decided to recreate as much of the original version
as possible, and it became a compilation of my heroes playing bluegrass and country music. We filmed the session, and that became the official music video.” The single reached #1 on both the Top 50 Singles Cross-Genre Chart and the Top 50 Bluegrass Singles Chart (Airplay Direct).
Never straying far from his bluegrass roots, PITNEY MEYER was born in the spring of 2023 with long-time friend, Johnny Meyer. This collaborative bluegrass duo was born out of The Station Inn, where Mo and Johnny have been playing a sold-out residency for the last 6 months. With Johnny Meyer on banjo and Mo Pitney on acoustic guitar, they are joined on stage by a rotating list of top tier musicians, most often including CMA Musician of the Year Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle), Nate Burie (Mandolin), and Blake Pitney (Bass).
“John and I got to know each other when both of our families would travel to SPBGMA or IBMA. John came from a very large family, and, for some reason, his mom singled him out and bought him a banjo when he was young. He has never set it down since then. He was holding a banjo the first time I saw him at IBMA, and we got a jam session together. Once John and I both moved to Nashville, we started to have jam sessions on my front porch, and that turned into a residency at Station Inn, not thinking that anything would come from that.
Dexter Roberts
Country Music Artist
Dexter Roberts (born July 12, 1991) is an American country singer from Fayette, Alabama who finished in 7th place on Season 13 of American Idol. He later finished in 3rd place on season 16 of The Voice.
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and raised in nearby Fayette, Dexter first started performing on stage when he was 5. His grandmother bought him his first guitar. Dexter describes himself as a self-taught singer and musician, preferring to play by ear.
American Idol: Dexter tried out for the show in Salt Lake City, singing “Drive” by season 9 alum Casey James. Impressed by his country-style vocals and friendly, down-home personality, Dexter made it to Hollywood where he did well and and made it to the top 30 and then the top 13.
Post Idol: Dexter had been a part of the American Idols Live
tour, which kicked off in Binghamton, New York on June 24, 2014, but he left the tour on July 1, 2014 and, according to Yahoo! Music, was released from his contract. He later released a statement explaining that he had left the tour due to being diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever, which he contracted after going on a turkey hunt in Kentucky after the finale.
The Voice: In 2019, Dexter announced on Twitter that he had auditioned for season 16 of the NBC show The Voice. His Blind Audition aired on March 4, 2019 where he sang “Like A Cowboy” by Randy Houser. He chose country music superstar Blake Shelton as his mentor & finished in 3rd place.
Expect new music coming soon.
Alvin McAmis
Country music artist
Growing up on a farm/ranch in Northeast Wyoming, I love small towns, country landscapes, and country music.
I began learning to play guitar in 1974, and music has been a continual joy in my life for almost 50 years now. Retiring recently from 29 years of truck driving and traveling over 2.5 million miles throughout the western U.S., I now have freedom to pursue music more fully.
My home is in Whitewood, SD with the love of my life, Patricia.
Joshua (Josh) Hendrickson
U.S. Army, ret.
I was born in a small rural town in northern Minnesota. I grew up in a large family, farming and working with my dad in the construction industry. We moved to eastern SD in 2003, I worked on a siding and window crew till I left home and joined the Army in 2006. I did my Basic training and AIT(advanced individual training) in Fort Sill, OK.
From there I went to Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA. After graduating from airborne school, I went to my duty station, Fort Richardson, AK (just outside of Anchorage). Three weeks after arriving I was deployed to Iraq where I joined my unit over there, finishing out that deployment. I received orders to deploy to Afghanistan in 2009. After that deployment I was honorably discharged in January of 2011.
After the military I went to WyoTech in Laramie, WY. Where I got my diesel mechanic certificate. During that time I met my now wife Lea, and moved to Casper. We lived in Casper for a few years and had our son Wade.
After Wade was born we decided we wanted the rural lifestyle for our family, we moved to Crook County near Devils Tower. We love it here and love the community we are happy to be a part of it. I love to spend time with my family, hunt, hike, fish, kayak and many other outdoor activities.
Brian Nesvik
Director, Wyoming Game and Fish
Brian Nesvik was appointed as Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 2019. Brian has been with the Department working for Wyoming’s wildlife and serving the people of the state for over 27 years.
Brian grew up in Wyoming and received his bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries biology and management from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.
Brian began his career with the Department in 1995. He has worked in various capacities including game warden where he was stationed in Glendo and Casper before being promoted to patrol the Elk Mountain District. He was transferred to the South Pinedale District in May 2005 and was promoted to be the Cody Region’s wildlife supervisor in August 2010.
Brian took over as chief game warden in 2011 and was responsible for all operations of the Department’s wildlife division, including law
enforcement, terrestrial game, nongame and habitat management and veterinary services before being appointed by Governor Mark Gordon as director.
Nesvik recently retired from the Wyoming Army National Guard after serving 35 years. He served as the Commanding General of the Wyoming Army National Guard and the Assistant Adjutant General holding the rank of Brigadier General. Nesvik served as a commander on two combat tours in Iraq and Kuwait.
Brian is an avid outdoorsman who loves Wyoming and its natural resources. He and his wife, Penny have three children: Brittany, Rudy and Aspen.
Trey Teem
Country Music Artist
Growing up in South Georgia, Trey picked up the guitar at an early age. Played his very first live show at the age of 15. Since then Trey has shared the stage with some of the most well-known names in country music such as, Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Tucker Beathard and more.
After making Nashville, Tennessee his permanent home, he has spent his time songwriting since 2017, leading up to his most recent release “Mississippi Gone” available now on all streaming platforms.
Burt Corley
U.S. Army, Ret.
Burt was born and raised in Louisiana and worked on a sweet potato farm until he enlisted at the age of 17 in 1992. After basic training, his 1st duty station was H Co. 159th AVN at Ft. Campbell, KY, and while stationed there was deployed to Somalia. After returning from Somalia, he was stationed with 3/17th Cavalry Regt. In Ft Drum, NY.
While stationed there he applied and was accepted to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and returned to Ft. Campbell,
KY. He spent 10 years with B Co. 1/160th SOAR and while there completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2007, He was assigned as the First Sergeant for A Co. 1-228th AVN with Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras.
Following this 1-year assignment he was stationed with 1/17th Cavalry Regt. in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. where he served as a First Sergeant. While there, he was deployed to Afghanistan. Upon his return from deployment, he was reassigned to Ft. Eustis, VA where he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Applied Aviation Technology Directorate. This was his final assignment, and he completed a 20-year career as a First Sergeant.
Burt’s awards and decorations include the Master crewmember badge, Parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Army Commendation Medals, and 4 Army Achievement Medals.
Burt has been happily married to his wife Christina for 24 years and they have one daughter. Since his retirement he completed a Master of Divinity at Liberty University.
He has also served as a Volunteer Firefighter and EMT while being pastoring in a rural community in Virginia. They currently live in Canon City, CO, where he serves as a pastor. He grew up hunting and fishing and is enjoying the opportunities that retirement is offering to take up these hobbies again.
Veteran sponsored by Tom & Connie Lindmier
Jason Taylor
U.S. Army, Ret.
Growing up, I always knew that I was going to join the military. Many men on both sides of my family have served. Upon entering high school in September 2000, I enrolled in JROTC and continued with that until graduation in June 2004.
After the events of September 2001, I found out that I could enlist at 17 under the delayed entry program, so in March of 2003 I joined the Oregon National Guard. My basic training was done at Fort Benning, Georgia during the summer between my junior and senior years in high school.
After graduating high school, I left the National Guard and served on active duty until I received a medical retirement in 2008. While on active duty, I completed my Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as an 11B infantryman at Fort Benning, GA and was stationed permanently at Fort Carson, Colorado.
I deployed to Iraq the first time from November 2005 through November 2006 and again from December 2007 through April 2008. I retired at the rank of Sergeant (ST) and throughout my military time I was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (×2), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star (×2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Veteran Sponsored by OWITS
Shawn Moore
Sons of the American Legion Post 2 Vice Commander
- Sons of the American Legion Post 2 Vice Commander
- American Legion Department Of Wyoming Legislative Committeeman
- US Congresswoman Harriet Hageman American Legion Legislative Council
- Governor Challenge Another Day Committeeman
- Former Casper College Veterans Club President
- Former American Legion Post 2 Vice Commander
Veteran sponsored by Powder River Energy, PreCorp, Basin Electric
Mike Woodcock
U.S. Air Force, Ret.
USAF Ret. Michael is a born and raised native of Wyoming. An avid outdoorsman, enjoying all that Wyoming has to offer such as hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.
Michael enlisted in the Wyoming Air National Guard in January 1984 as a Supply Warehouse Technician. He served in different career fields to include Supply Warehouse Technician, Computer Maintenance Technician, and lastly as the Airfield Manager.
The Airfield Manager’s responsibilities included preparing flight crews with the information required for each flight, ensuring the Airfield ramps, runways and taxiways were inspected and ready for use. He deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base with Operation Enduring Freedom in December of 2001. His unit was one of the first Units deployed after the September 11 attacks. He remained in theater relocating to Kandahar, Afghanistan and Masirah Island, Oman.
Michael deployed globally numerous times during his 25 year military career, retiring in September 2008 at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He continued working for the United States Air Force as a Unit Program Coordinator after his military career and retiring from the Civil Service in July 2017.
Veteran sponsored by OWITS
Jim Thompson
Radio and Rodeo Personality
For nearly 60 years Jim Thompson’s name was associated with excellence in radio and rodeo. Now retired and living with his wife Sherry in Sturgis, SD Jim would rather golf or play poker. (one of his proudest honors was being named THE GREATEST DAMN POKER PLAYER IN THE WEST at poker tournament in Hulett several years ago.) He accepted this gig because of many years of friendship with the Neimans.
During his radio career he was named the SPORTSCASTER OF THE YEAR in South Dakota 4 times. He was also honored with inclusion in the SD sports Hall of Fame, the Casey Tibbs rodeo Hall of Fame and the Black Hills Stock Show Hall of Fame. He was elected to two terms in the SD State Senate and was also president of the SD Broadcasters.
Notably for listeners in our area Jim hosted “the Country Cafe of the Airwaves’ every weekday afternoon over a 5 state radio network for nearly 2 decades. He still is the voice for DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance of SD. That began in 1976. Jim is also a lifetime member of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Assocation. He’s happily retired now and he and Sherry have spent the past few winters in Mesa, AZ.
William (Bill) Motley
U.S. Army, Ret.
Bill was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, he moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland during his senior of High School. During his high school years he participated in the Junior Reserves Officers Training Corp. Midway through his senior year of high school, He signed for the Delayed Entry Program for the United States Army.
After graduating high school in June 1986, PFC William C. Motley to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Basic Training. Upon completion of basic training, he marched approximately 4 blocks and reported for Military Occupation Specialty 13E- Fire Direction Specialist. When he graduated from this course he reported to Fort Benning, Georgia for Airborne School.
Upon completion of Airborne school, he served 6 years active duty at the following duty Stations:
- 1987-1988 1/39th ARBN FA, Fort Bragg North Carolina
- 1988-1989 1/4th FA, Camp Pelham Korea
- 1989-1991 3/29 FA Fort Carson, Colorado
- 1991-1992 319th ARBN FA Caserma Ederle, Vicenza Italy.
Upon completion of his active duty service, he served:
- 1992-1993 in the B-Btry 2/157 FA Colorado National Guard, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 1993-1996 1/151st Infantry, Indiana National Guard New Albany, Indiana
- 1996-2022 Served in numerous
units in the Wyoming National Guard - Fire Direction Specailist A-Btry 2/300th FA
- Instructor 2/213th Regional Training Institute
- NCOIC 4ID ROC, 1SG HHB 115th FA Brigade
- Quality Assurance NCO 213th Regional Training Institute
- 1SG 213th Regional Training Institute
- Operations NCO G-3
- 1SG MED-DET
- Operations NCO G-3
- Retired as a First Sergeant on May 16th 2022 serving a total of 36 years.
Deployments:
- 2003-2004 Combat Deployment Tirkirt
- Iraqi Military Schools – Defence Equal Opportunity Management Institute
- United States Army Sergeant Major’s Academy
- First Sergeant Course
- Company Level Pre-Command Course
- Advance Noncommissioned Officers Course
- VTC- Video Teleconference Training Course
- Total Army Instructor Training Course
- Small Group Instructor Training Course
- Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course
- Primary Leadership Development Course
Military Awards:
- Bronze Star
- Meritorious Services Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
- Iraqi Campaign Medal
- Korea Defense Service Medal.
Joe Bogart
U.S. Army, Ret.
During his junior year of high school, Joe enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard as a 12B Combat Engineer. In 1995 he transitioned to Active Duty in the U.S. Army.
During his 28-year career, Joe held many different duties and
leadership positions. He began with the 110th Engineer Battalion Missouri Army National Guard before continuing service on active duty at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Baumholder, Germany with deployments to Kosovo and Iraq.
He served as a 5-ton Operator, M-60 Gunner, Radio-Telephone Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge Operator, Supply Sergeant, Team Leader, Armored Combat Earthmover Section Leader and Squad Leader. He finished his enlisted time as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood as an Instructor Writer selected as the 2003 Fort Leonard Wood Engineer Noncommissioned Officer Instructor of the Year. In
December 2003, Joe graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia College with a B.A. in History.
After commissioning in June 2005 at Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, Joe was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood. From there he deployed in 2006 to Iraq where he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in October of that year from an Improvised Explosive Device while serving as a Platoon Leader in the 5th Engineer Battalion. His wounds caused severe facial fractures and damage, destroyed his right eye and left him legally blind in his left.
Joe required multiple surgeries and spent nearly a year at Walter Reed Army Community Hospital. His right eye was removed, titanium placed in his forehead, nose and cheeks,
and his left eye remained legally blind. After healing from his physical injuries, conducting rehabilitation, Joe focused on healing the invisible wounds, and began showing he could still serve as a blind soldier by qualifying with an M9 pistol.
Joe was determined he would remain on active duty in the Army and focused on what he could do instead of what he couldn’t.
In 2008, medical evaluation boards recommended medical retirement, but Joe requested and was approved for COAD (Continue on Active Duty). In July of 2008, he again deployed to Iraq with the 5th Engineer Battalion to serve as a Company Executive Officer and as a Captain on Battalion Staff. This deployment earned Joe the status as the first and only blind warrior to deploy to ground combat since the Civil War.
Joe graduated the Engineer Captain’s Career Course, and served as Company Commander of C Company 35th Engineer Battalion One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. In December of 2015 Joe received a promotion to Major and graduated on the commandant’s list from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in May 2016. By March of 2017, Joe completed his M.A. in Management and Leadership with Webster University. Joe finished his Army career at Fort Leonard Wood as an Engineer Doctrine Writer & Analyst.
After retiring in April 2018, Joe was hired as Executive Director for Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) where he served for two years before retiring again. In April of 2022, Joe again returned to work for BVA as the Director of Community Relations until he finished the mission they needed him for and returned to retired life.
In his spare time, Joe serves on the Board of Directors for Camp Hope in Farmington, MO; serves as Commander for Idaho’s Chief Joseph Chapter 509, Military Order of the Purple Heart, U.S.A.; and serves as Vice President Gem State Regional Group, Blinded Veterans
Association.
He also enjoys hunting, running, golf cooking, mentoring wounded veterans, traveling, working on old tractors and spending quality time with his family. He and his wife, Christine live in Meridian, Idaho and have one son, Jonathan who lives in Newport News, VA.
As a blind hunter, Joe has been able to hunt and fish all over the United States and harvest various upland birds, waterfowl, deer, turkey, small game and various fresh and salt water fish.
Joe has also hunted and harvested a Wyoming Antelope, Texas and Mississippi Whitetail deer, a Maine Moose and currently has three of four wild turkeys towards his grand slam. He has Eastern Turkeys from Missouri (various years), an Osceola from Florida (2021), a Rio Grande from Texas (2022) and only lacks a Merriam from the west.
Veteran sponsored by Tom & Connie Lindmier
Dwight Null
Department Service Officer, American Legion
Dwight was elected to the office of Department Service Officer for The American Legion Department of Wyoming in December of 2009 and will be enjoying my first full week of retirement during the turkey shoot, he has enjoyed the task of helping Wyoming’s veterans and the family’s secure their benefits and overcome any problem they may have come up against. I can think of no better way to relax and start my retirement then to enjoy then honor of participating your turkey shoot. Thank you so much!
Veteran sponsored by Powder River Energy, PreCorp, Basin Electric
Joe Bogart
U.S. Army, Ret.
During his junior year of high school, Joe enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard as a 12B Combat Engineer. In 1995 he transitioned to Active Duty in the U.S. Army.
During his 28-year career, Joe held many different duties and
leadership positions. He began with the 110th Engineer Battalion Missouri Army National Guard before continuing service on active duty at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Baumholder, Germany with deployments to Kosovo and Iraq.
He served as a 5-ton Operator, M-60 Gunner, Radio-Telephone Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge Operator, Supply Sergeant, Team Leader, Armored Combat Earthmover Section Leader and Squad Leader. He finished his enlisted time as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood as an Instructor Writer selected as the 2003 Fort Leonard Wood Engineer Noncommissioned Officer Instructor of the Year. In
December 2003, Joe graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia College with a B.A. in History.
After commissioning in June 2005 at Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, Joe was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood. From there he deployed in 2006 to Iraq where he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in October of that year from an Improvised Explosive Device while serving as a Platoon Leader in the 5th Engineer Battalion. His wounds caused severe facial fractures and damage, destroyed his right eye and left him legally blind in his left.
Joe required multiple surgeries and spent nearly a year at Walter Reed Army Community Hospital. His right eye was removed, titanium placed in his forehead, nose and cheeks,
and his left eye remained legally blind. After healing from his physical injuries, conducting rehabilitation, Joe focused on healing the invisible wounds, and began showing he could still serve as a blind soldier by qualifying with an M9 pistol.
Joe was determined he would remain on active duty in the Army and focused on what he could do instead of what he couldn’t.
In 2008, medical evaluation boards recommended medical retirement, but Joe requested and was approved for COAD (Continue on Active Duty). In July of 2008, he again deployed to Iraq with the 5th Engineer Battalion to serve as a Company Executive Officer and as a Captain on Battalion Staff. This deployment earned Joe the status as the first and only blind warrior to deploy to ground combat since the Civil War.
Joe graduated the Engineer Captain’s Career Course, and served as Company Commander of C Company 35th Engineer Battalion One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. In December of 2015 Joe received a promotion to Major and graduated on the commandant’s list from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in May 2016. By March of 2017, Joe completed his M.A. in Management and Leadership with Webster University. Joe finished his Army career at Fort Leonard Wood as an Engineer Doctrine Writer & Analyst.
After retiring in April 2018, Joe was hired as Executive Director for Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) where he served for two years before retiring again. In April of 2022, Joe again returned to work for BVA as the Director of Community Relations until he finished the mission they needed him for and returned to retired life.
In his spare time, Joe serves on the Board of Directors for Camp Hope in Farmington, MO; serves as Commander for Idaho’s Chief Joseph Chapter 509, Military Order of the Purple Heart, U.S.A.; and serves as Vice President Gem State Regional Group, Blinded Veterans
Association.
He also enjoys hunting, running, golf cooking, mentoring wounded veterans, traveling, working on old tractors and spending quality time with his family. He and his wife, Christine live in Meridian, Idaho and have one son, Jonathan who lives in Newport News, VA.
As a blind hunter, Joe has been able to hunt and fish all over the United States and harvest various upland birds, waterfowl, deer, turkey, small game and various fresh and salt water fish.
Joe has also hunted and harvested a Wyoming Antelope, Texas and
Mississippi Whitetail deer, a Maine Moose and currently has three of four wild turkeys towards his grand slam. He has Eastern Turkeys from Missouri (various years), an Osceola from Florida (2021), a Rio Grande from Texas (2022) and only lacks a Merriam from the west.
Veteran sponsored by Tom & Connie Lindmier
