Outdoor Writers Association of America’s membership recently cast votes to elect three new members to the OWAA Board of Directors: Bruce Cochran (Kansas), Mary J. Nickum (Arizona) and Randy Zellers (Arkansas).


All three Active members will take their board seats on July 11, in conjunction with OWAA’s annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. They will serve three-year terms.

Bruce Cochran has been a freelance cartoonist, illustrator and humor writer since 1962. His credits include Ducks Unlimited, Petersen’s Bowhunting, Playboy, Pheasants Forever Journal, Delta Waterfowl and many more. Cochran has also written 11 humor and cartoon books. He is a hunter and fisherman, and member of several hunting, conservation and writing organizations. He resides in Prairie Village, Kan., and is married with two children and four grandchildren.


Mary J. Nickum served on the OWAA Board of Directors in 2009-2010 as a replacement board member. During that time, she earned the 2010 Outstanding Board Member award. Nickum is a retired librarian and current freelancer writer and editor. She focuses on science writing for the public, but also writes children’s books. Her credits include Northern Aquaculture, Hatchery International magazine, Fish Farming News and Aquaculture North America.


Randy Zellers works for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as assistant editor for Arkansas Wildlife. Zellers writes several regular pieces, takes photographs and edits the magazine and other state publications. He spent time as an intern for Ducks Unlimited during graduate school and worked as a copywriter for Cabela’s before assuming his role at Arkansas Game and Fish. His passions include fishing, bowhunting and small game hunting.


In the same election, OWAA members voted to approve two ballot measures. The first measure proposed eliminating the position of third vice president from the Executive Committee. The second measure proposed eliminating the need for the Board of Directors to approve committee members and chairs selected by the President, with the exception of chairs and committee members for the Board Nominating and Finance committees. Members of the Board Nominating and Finance committees will continue to need approval by the Board of Directors.