Meet a National Board Member: Robert Larson
Robert "Bob" Larson
As a non-profit, Pheasants Forever operates under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors. That guidance takes many forms, but boiled down, the board is responsible for ensuring Pheasants Forever operates in the best interest of our members and also helps shape our vision for the future. There are currently 18 individuals on the national board and they meet three times a year.
Through this new series of blog posts, I’ll introduce each of our national board members and share some of their personality and passion for our organization.
Born in what town: Minneapolis, MN
Current Town of Residence: Wayzata, MN
Family: My wife Chris (married in ’66) is a former public health nurse that has been selling real estate for almost 30 years. Two children are daughter Sonja and a son Nels. Sonja Anne Carter, lives in NYC, has two daughters (4 & 2), and is working as the Director of Gift Planning for Columbia University. Her husband is Matt Carter, a meteorologist doing risk management for Bunge. Nels Larson works as a product manager, managing the Kelty brand of camping gear. Nels lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife Ginna and two daughters (4 & 2). His wife Ginna works for a marketing agency specializing in “point of sale marketing” in the sporting industry.
Occupation: I am a developer of hydroelectric projects in the U.S.
Dogs: My wife has a havanese named Tre. I have a black standard poodle (16 months), Valborg, that is being trained to hunt upland birds.
Favorite place to pheasant hunt: wherever my hunting friends, and their dogs, gather.
Favorite pheasant hunting shotgun: Merkel, side by side, .410.
Best pheasant hunt of your life was: As a group: Southern Minnesota in 1955. I was “acting” in a hunting movie sponsored by Red Wing Shoe. We had 17 hunters, and one golden retriever (state champion that retrieved all the birds to his master – he carried a lot of birds out of the fields). Solitary: Valentine, Nebraska with the PF Board of Directors. I went off on my own, hunting the bottom slopes of some hills. I came back with a “mixed double,” one sharp-tailed grouse and one lesser prairie chicken.
How did you first get involved with Pheasants Forever? I was, as a young lawyer, a frequent donor of my legal time to wildlife organizations. Dennis Anderson and Jeff Finden approached me to incorporate a concept that they had been discussing. It was to be dedicated to bringing back the pheasant population. I incorporated Pheasants Forever and served on the Board from the beginning. The rest is history.
What is your favorite aspect about serving on the National Board? I am challenged by the need to keep our strategies relevant to our members, our size, and our place at the “bargaining table” in the national issues facing wildlife organizations.
What is the single biggest challenge facing Pheasants Forever in the future? Our two biggest challenges are: 1) How do we enlist the support of, and membership in PF in an ever increasing urban society?; and 2) How do we enlist the support of our nation’s youth in the mission, and fun, of PF?
Previous Blog Profiles of National Board Members
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
2 Responses to “Meet a National Board Member: Robert Larson”
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Hello everyone,
Bob’s opportunity to incorporate Pheasanes Forever and the ensuing years of service on the National Board has been Bob’s most cherished work experience in his life. This gift of opportunity to serve is invaluable. Pass it forward.
A Zillion Thanks to all envolved,
Chris Larson
How lovely to have Chris pat you on the back, Bob! I also thank you for your help and perspectives as I work with you.