Delta Waterfowl’s Board of Directors has named Jason Tharpe as its new CEO, replacing and Dr. Scott Petrie who agreed to step down in late February by mutual agreement after serving a nearly decade-long tenure as chief executive officer of the duck hunters organization.
Tharpe has been with Delta Waterfowl for 22 years, most recently serving as chief development officer, leading Delta’s gifts and events fundraising with record growth.
“On behalf of Delta’s Board, I’d like to thank Scott for all he’s done to advance Delta as a leading waterfowl conservation organization in North America,” said George Freeman, Delta’s Board Chairman. “Delta Waterfowl has grown substantially under his leadership. We’re excited to move forward as we aim to enhance the organization’s impact to produce ducks and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting.”
Jason Tharpe, said, “I appreciate the Board’s confidence to lead Delta. I’m deeply committed to building on Delta’s successes across all our programs. Our vision is to put more ducks into every fall flight and ensure a strong duck hunting future.”
Tharpe grew up an avid waterfowler in Bastrop, LA. He’s one of the organization’s most respected minds on all matters affecting ducks and duck hunters. He joined the Delta Waterfowl staff in 2002 as one of the original regional directors — a period of transition in which Delta shifted from an exclusively research institution to The Duck Hunters Organization, committed to producing ducks and securing the future of waterfowl hunting in North America.
“I am a passionate waterfowler with two boys, ages 16 and 19,” said Tharpe, who holds degrees in paper science and technology, non-profit leadership and management, and psychology. “It excites me every day to know that I am contributing to their ability to hunt waterfowl and hopefully pass it along to their children.”
Delta Waterfowl, a leading conservation group for over 100 years, works across four foundational pillars: Duck Production, Habitat Conservation, Research and Education, and HunteR3. Key programs include Predator Management, Hen Houses, Working Wetlands, Shallow Wetland Incentive Program, University Hunting Program, First Hunt, and Delta’s research.
“Everything Delta does is for the benefit of waterfowl and waterfowl hunters,” Tharpe said. “Everyone at Delta—our Board, staff, donors, volunteers, and members — is striving to produce more ducks and maximize hunting opportunities. We’re going to work harder than ever to reach our goals.”
Images courtesy Delta Waterfowl
