Aberdeen’s Kessler Named to Pheasants Forever Nat’l Board of Directors

Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever have appointed Tim Kessler of Aberdeen, South Dakota, as the newest member to the organization’s National Board of Directors. The 18-member board meets quarterly and oversees the operations of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

A lifelong resident of Aberdeen, Kessler served for 17 years (1992-2010) on the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission, retiring this May. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds said Kessler “served with honor and has always come down in favor of what’s best for the state’s natural resources.”

A third-generation owner of Kessler’s grocery, one of the largest food and drug stores in the Dakotas, Kessler also owns Big Shot Pheasant Fields near Aberdeen.

Kessler has long been fond of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s wildlife habitat conservation mission, “During my time on the Commission, we teamed up many, many times with local Pheasants Forever chapters,” he said. He’s also taken best habitat practices to heart for his own property.

“It’s been extremely gratifying for me to take a marginal piece of property and develop the habitat into quality nesting, brood, food and winter cover – the perfect combination for pheasants,” he said. Kessler looks forward to serving and contributing to “The Habitat Organization’s” Board of Directors.

“To be an integral part of managing what I’ve always had such a passion for – pheasants and pheasant hunting – this is a truly rare opportunity.”

All members of the National Board are volunteers offering their expertise, time, and effort on behalf of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

“Speaking on behalf of the entire National Board of Directors, we are excited about the passion for conservation and the volunteer spirit Tim Kessler brings,” said Bruce Hertzke, Chairman of the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever National Board of Directors, “Tim brings a wealth of wildlife and business experience that will help us achieve our habitat mission.”

Kessler started sacking groceries when he was 12-years-old, and purchased the 71-year-old family business from his father in the late 1980s. He graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen. He and his wife of 35 years, Amy, have three grown children.