Staff

Jeff Crane

President

Jeff Crane joined CSF in 2002 and brings over twenty years of experience in on-the-ground natural resource management and policy expertise at the federal, state and international levels. A life-long outdoorsman, Jeff spent five years working in the US Congress and was instrumental in establishing the Maryland legislative sportsmen's caucus prior to joining CSF. In addition, he has experience developing wildlife habitat management plans in the United States and South Africa. During his eight years in Africa, Jeff obtained his professional hunter's license and guided hunts for big game animals. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Business Administration.

At CSF, Jeff is the primary liaison with the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. In this role, he helps develop policy, facilitate meetings and coordinate legislative strategy with legislative staff, members of the Caucus and the conservation community. Jeff also oversees CSF's State Caucus programs.

Jeff Crane is the only person to sit both on the Sporting Conservation Council (as Vice-Chairman) and on the Sport Fishing & Boating Partnership Council. He is also a member of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC). In addition, Jeff is a member of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) serving as its Chairman in 2005. He is a member of the Government Affairs Committee for Safari Club International (SCI) and the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Committee for the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Gary Kania

Vice President

Gary Kania joined the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation in May 2006 as Vice-President of Policy and focuses on assisting in advancing pro-sportsmen's legislative and regulatory proposals. He is well-respected in the wildlife conservation community for his ability to wade through complex policy issues and advance sportsmen's issues by networking with federal agencies and conservation organizations.

Gary is appointed to the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Federal Advisory Committee and is an alternate member of the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (SFBPC) and Wildlife Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC).

Prior to joining CSF, he worked at The Nature Conservancy as a Senior Policy Advisor in Government Relations. From 1995 through 2002, Gary worked in a number of positions with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation where his final responsibilities included the oversight of national conservation programs and assisting with the coordination of the NFWF's regional offices. Beginning in 1991, he worked for four years at the National Rifle Association as Manager of the Wildlife Management Department. Gary also worked for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station from 1980 until 1991 where he assisted with wildlife damage and wildlife behavior research.

He received a B.S. from the University of Maine in wildlife management in 1979 and, while working at the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station, earned two Master of Science degrees in biology and environmental education. Gary is recognized as a Certified Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society.

Kelli Wagner

Director of Finance

Kelli joined CSF in 2006 with over 9 years of professional experience in the government and corporate sectors. Kelli works closely with the President managing the day-to-day operations of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

She oversees all aspects of the office operations including maintaining the organizational budget, accounts payable and accounts receivable, annual audit, assists with board meetings, employee benefits, insurance policies and all aspects of building ownership and duties as a landlord.

Prior to this position, Kelli was an Office Manager and Contracts Administrator for a software development company.

Kelli lives in Anne Arundel County with her husband, son, and three pugs. She enjoys the outdoors and her family likes to hunt and fish.

PJ Carleton

Director of Events and Donor Relations

PJ Carleton joined the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation in 2008 and is now the Director of Events and Donor Relations.

Prior to joining CSF, PJ was the Director of Political and Special Events at Epiphany Productions, Inc. During her 5 year tenure, she planned and executed large and small scale meetings and events for a diverse clientele throughout the United States and Europe. Before working for Epiphany, PJ spent two years in the office of U.S. Representative Billy Tauzin.

Growing up in "Sportsmen's Paradise", PJ has been around hunting and fishing her entire life. PJ holds a degree from Louisiana State University, and enjoys LSU football, NASCAR and spending time with her family, including her English Bulldog Wally.

Jennifer Lundy

Southeastern States Director

Jennifer joined CSF in October 2008 as a Manager of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses. She oversees and interacts with the southeastern state caucuses and travels to attend the caucus events.

A graduate of North Carolina State University, she majored in communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in psychology.

Prior to joining CSF, she worked for the North Carolina Senate, FLW Outdoors as a Tournament Administrator for Kingfish and Redfish tournaments, and as a Communications Specialist for the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.

Chris Horton

Midwestern States Director

As a familiar face of the American fishing community and Conservation Director for the Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society (BASS), Chris Horton joined CSF in 2010 as Midwestern States Director for the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses.

In his most recent role at BASS, Chris' primary responsibility was to work with and represent the BASS Federation Nation and BASS members on local, state and national conservation issues that impact sport fishing.

He is a strong, nationally recognized voice on natural resource policy decisions, and has represented BASS and its members on various scientific and government affairs committees throughout his career.

Chris received a master's degree in fisheries from the University of Arizona. Prior to working with BASS, Chris served as the reservoir research biologist, as well as the black bass biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Brent Miller

Northeastern States Manager

Brent Miller joined the CSF team as a State Program Manager for the Northeastern United States in June of 2011. Prior to accepting a full time position, he served as a policy fellow at CSF in the fall of 2010. In his current role with the organization, Brent oversees and interacts with the state legislative sportsmen's caucuses and the members of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus in the northeast region. As a New York native and avid sportsman, Brent has a vested interest in protecting and strengthening sportsmen’s traditions in the northeast.

Brent graduated with honors from Bard College in upstate New York with a Master of Science degree in environmental policy; he focused his graduate degree on issues related to conservation and hunting/fishing in the northeast region. His thesis examined the potential for changes in Sunday hunting policy to provide increased funding for state wildlife management agencies throughout the region. Brent also graduated with honors from SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor’s degree in sociology (criminology concentration), and received two Associate of Science degrees from SUNY Ulster. Brent has also received his Professional Development Certificate from The Wildlife Society.

Andy Treharne

Western States Manager

Andy Treharne joined the CSF team as a State Program Manager for the Western United States in October of 2011. In this role, Andy oversees and interacts with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus throughout the region; he is also an appointed member of the Western Governors Association’s (WGA) Get Out West! Advisory Group. As a native Coloradan, hunter and fly fisherman, Andy has a vested interest in advancing, protecting and promoting sportsmen’s issues in the west.

With past experience working with western legislators, government officials, stakeholders and local communities, Andy brings a unique and valuable perspective to his position with CSF. Prior to joining CSF, he served as the Policy Director for the House Republicans in the Colorado General Assembly where he supported a 33 member caucus through agenda development, policy and budget analysis, and regulatory monitoring. Additionally, he has worked as a Legislative Aide in the Colorado House of Representatives and as a professional staff member for U.S. Senator Wayne Allard in both Grand Junction, Colorado and Washington, DC.

Andy has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in environmental policy, management and law from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Bee Frederick

Southeastern States Manager

Bee Frederick joined CSF in March of 2013 as the Southeastern States Manager.  In this role, Bee oversees and interacts with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses in the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and members of the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus in the region.

Prior to joining CSF, Bee was the campaign manager for a statewide constitutional amendment in Alabama to extend “Forever Wild” -- Alabama’s public land program.  The campaign received broad range support from a diverse coalition of over 200 business entities, conservation organizations, outdoor recreation groups, and many others and passed with 75% approval. Additionally, Bee previously worked for U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus (AL) in Washington, DC and as a Field Director for the Alabama Republican Party.

Bee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Samford University.  A native Alabamian, Bee has a strong passion for the outdoors, and particularly enjoys turkey hunting and wingshooting.

Philip Hoon

Outreach Manager

Phil joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in July of 2011 as Outreach Coordinator to work on fundraising and donor relations.

Prior to joining CSF, Phil worked in Washington, DC as a fundraiser on the re-election campaign of United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. He spent time in and out of Nevada to help support ongoing efforts on behalf of the campaign. He now brings his fundraising and development experience to the sportsmen's arena.

Phil grew up in Chestertown, Maryland, as a lifelong sportsman, where he continues to spend his time hunting and fishing at the family farm. Creating sustainable habitat for wildlife has become a passion of his as he works with his family to develop new areas of conservation and preservation on the farm. Phil received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Lynchburg College.

Alex Joesten

Policy Advisor

Alex joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in June 2012 as a Policy Associate. Prior to accepting a full time position, she first served at CSF as a policy fellow in the fall of 2011 and then as a contracted employee in the spring of 2012. Now as a Policy Advisor, she works with both the Vice President and States Program Team staff assisting with the development of strategies for state and federal policy that impacts hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation.

Alex graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Political Science. She first learned to fish in the Long Island Sound while attending a 4-H camp and has previously worked as a Naturalist at Elk Neck State Park, where she taught youth both how to fish and to appreciate all the outdoors has to offer.

Cole Henry

Communications Coordinator

Cole joined the CSF team in July 2012 as the Communications Coordinator. Prior to taking the position with CSF, Cole worked as an Advertising Executive at The Hill newspaper in Washington, D.C. He started his D.C. experience in 2010 on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Aaron Schock and as an intern at Edelman Public Relations.

Now as the Communications Coordinator, Cole will work with the Vice President and CSF team, developing communications strategies that will be a voice to help further protect and advance sportsmen's heritage and key issues.

Cole graduated from Luther College with a Bachelors in History and African Studies. While at Luther, Cole studied abroad in Tanzania where he focused on East African land conservation issues and the culture of the Maasai Tribe. A lover of the outdoors, Cole spends his summer vacation fishing on Lake Michigan.