The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) announced the hiring of Mike Neiduski as Director of Regional Development for the Southeast. In his role, Neiduski will direct business development and fundraising programs in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia. Mike will also serve as interim director assisting with communications and online activities in the mid-Atlantic until that position is filled. These important regions (formerly combined) were overseen by Dave Hansroth until his retirement in early March.
RGS & AWS Regional Directors are tasked with raising funds for habitat and conservation work. They work closely with local chapters, members, donors and businesses to further the RGS & AWS mission. “This position has remained vacant as we cut costs and re-organized in the midst of COVID-19. Fundraising and member coordination are such important parts of our business, we simply can’t afford to keep this position vacant any longer,” said Ben Jones, RGS & AWS President and CEO. “Mike has been working with us pro bono over the past 18 months exploring opportunities to expand AWS. He has great instincts and a passion for this kind of work. We’re thrilled to have Mike on board full time.”
Neiduski worked in higher education administration for over a decade prior to joining RGS & AWS. The need for conservation in the southeast drew him to the position with RGS & AWS. “The feeling of contributing to grouse conservation and growing impact of AWS in this vital migratory and wintering area is hard to put into words. I am really excited about the opportunity.”
Mike is an avid hunter, dog trainer and a North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) judge. “Working with our passionate members for healthy forests and abundant wildlife inspires me most about the RGS & AWS mission,” he stated. “While ruffed grouse and American woodcock are our namesake, our work supports so much more than just these two birds. Sustainably managed forests create habitat for all manner of wildlife, songbirds, quail, turkeys, whitetail deer, and so much more.”
Neiduski holds a BS in history from Marquette University and a MEd in counselor education from Clemson University. Mike currently lives in North Carolina’s central Piedmont region with his hobby tolerant wife, Becky, and their two bird dogs, Plexi and Sophie. Follow him on Instagram @mneiduski.
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RGS & AWS are North America’s foremost conservation organizations dedicated to healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and all forest wildlife. RGS & AWS works with landowners and public agencies to conserve habitat through science-based management practices.
