Meet the staff of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation

Michael Butler has served as chief executive officer of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation since June 2002. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Tennessee’s largest and oldest conservation organization and ensuring that Tennessee’s citizens are educated about sound natural resources management. Butler also works with elected officials, state and federal agencies and civic leaders to implement sound natural resources policy and to create solutions for natural resource user conflicts. He joined TWF as director of conservation in April 1996, working with the organization’s Conservation Policy Advisory Council and Board of Directors to develop natural resource policy. Prior to his role at TWF, Butler obtained his master’s degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University. He previously worked as a research assistant at Delta Waterfowl’s headquarters in Portage la Prairie, Canada, and as a wildlife policy fellow for The Wildlife Society in Washington, D.C. A Jackson, Tennessee native, Butler obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, with a major in wildlife and fisheries science and a minor in forestry. Butler is an Eagle Scout, a member of various sportsmen's and conservation groups, serves on various industry-related committees and boards and has earned several associated honors. He served two terms on the TVA Regional Resource Stewardship Council federal advisory committee. In 2006, Michael was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Morris K. Udall Foundation for Scholarship and Excellence in Environmental Policy.

Kendall McCarter, Chief Development Officer
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Kendall McCarter currently serves as chief development officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. Prior to joining the TWF staff, McCarter served as vice president of development and university relations at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. McCarter’s development experience includes seven years as associate director of philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Chapter and four years as director of development for Lifeline Blood Services in Jackson. In addition, he has served as vice president and trust officer with Regions/Morgan Keegan Trust, where he worked with high net worth clients in financial and estate matters.  McCarter began his career in development work as a regional representative for LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis. Prior to his work in development, he led the public relations department at Davidson & Chandler Advertising Agency in Jackson. In his spare time, McCarter enjoys hunting, fishing, birding and other outdoor activities. He is a former member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Jackson. He also is the co-founder and former chairman of the Skyfest Tennessee Airshow.  McCarter holds a B.A. in communication from Mississippi State University along with an M.B.A. from Union University.  He and his wife, Sherri, live in Jackson, Tennessee, with their daughter, Julia, who is 12 years old.

Karen Vaughn, Director of Grants and Special Projects
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Karen Vaughn is director of grants and special projects. She joined TWF in 2005, directing communications and membership until taking on the new role earlier this year. Just in the last few months, Karen has secured $45,000 in grant funding to expand the Hunters for the Hungry program. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Chadrick E. Whittenburg, Director of Mitigation and Ecological Services
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Chad Whittenburg joined the Tennessee Wildlife Federation as the Hunters for the Hungry and Scholastic Clay Target Program coordinator in May 2005. Chad has recently taken on a new role as the Federation’s director of mitigation and ecological services. He is a certified wildlife biologist and wetlands mitigation specialist, and he earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Tennessee Technological University in wildlife and fisheries science and geology. Formerly, he was TWF’s director of outreach. Prior to attending TTU, Chad spent four years as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps. He spent time on the Marine Corps North Pacific Rifle and Pistol Team and was a certified Close Quarters Battle Instructor. Chad received two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals as well as the combat action ribbon.  He is married to Becky, has a daughter named Katelyn, two step-sons, Grant and Ethan, and a Black Lab named Abby.

Sonya Wood Mahler, Manager, Great Outdoors University
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Certified Environmental Educator Sonya Wood Mahler joined TWF in October 2011 as manager of the Great Outdoors University program. She brings 30 years of experience in introducing youth to the great outdoors, including stints as a naturalist at Land Between the Lakes, as a marine and coastal education agent with the University of Florida, as a program director for a 4-H marine science summer camp, and with the U.S. Forest Service as a biological technician. Most recently, Mahler was an aquatic education specialist with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, where she taught kids and adults about fishing and boating. She earned two bachelor’s degrees from Auburn University, in marine biology and physics and in secondary science education, and a master’s degree in natural resources and environmental education from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.In 1982, Sonya received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the highest honor one can receive at Auburn University, for volunteer work with the Marine Biological Society and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. In 1984, the Award for Outstanding Female Volunteer in Project Uplift/Big Brothers/Big Sisters at Auburn University was renamed the Sonya J. Wood Award. Sonya also received the Florida Sea Grant Meritorious Service Award in 2000 and the Alabama Governor’s Award for Conservation Educator of the Year in 2006.

Kate Friedman, Great Outdoors University Memphis Coordinator
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Kate Friedman joined TWF in March 2009 as the Memphis program coordinator for Great Outdoors University. She has worked in the environmental education field for the past 20 years. Before joining the staff at TWF Kate served as environmental educator for Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, where she was responsible for the development and presentation of youth programs. Previously, she was program manager at Lichterman Nature Center for three years, where she was responsible for all school and public programs, festivals, and Lichterman’s animal exhibit building. Kate also served as animal program manager in the education department of the Memphis Zoo for 11 years, where she supervised a variety of animal shows, the Zoo’s outreach program, and the volunteer animal handling program.She serves on the Board of Directors of Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. Kate is an experienced bird trainer and has worked with species ranging from bald eagles to screech owls, as well as parrots and other species.She is a member of the Tennessee Environmental Education Association, National Association of Interpretation and Tennessee Ornithological Society. Kate graduated from the University of Memphis with a BS degree in biology. 

Martha Lyle Ford, Great Outdoors University Special Projects
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Martha Lyle Ford joined TWF in 2005, serving as director of the Great Outdoors University program until June 2011. She now works on special projects for GOU.

Before joining TWF, she worked for The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. House of Representatives, the United Methodist Church, the U.S. Senate, and Al and Tipper Gore. She received a bachelor of arts degree in communication and a master of divinity from Vanderbilt University.

She and her husband, Bob Ford, a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and their two daughters, Eliza and Mattie, live in Brownsville, Tenn., with their beagle, Daisy, and English pointer, Lucy.

Since joining TWF, she has been named Environmental Administrator of the Year for West Tennessee by the Tennessee Environmental Education Association, Wildlife Professional of the Year by the UT-Martin Wildlife Society, and Outstanding Volunteer for Haywood County. Ford was instrumental in launching the statewide coalition Every Child Outdoors -- Tennessee (ECO-TN) and served as its first co-chair. She has served on the education committee of the National Forum on Children and Nature, and as a grassroots leader representative for the Children and Nature Network.

She is a fellow with GreenFaith, a national organization for religious-environmental leaders. Outside of her professional work, Martha Lyle serves on the Creation Care commitee of the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Haywood County Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, and the Church Council of First United Methodist Church -- Brownsville. Whenever possible, she is outdoors, enjoying and being amazed by the wonders of Creation.

Andrew Peercy was brought on as manager of the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program in January of 2011, and has led the continued advancement of the nationally celebrated scholastic shooting program in Tennessee.More than 2,200 athletes participated in TNSCTP competitions during the 2011 season, and the program brought home seven of the 15 national championships awarded this year.Formerly, he was director of information technology services at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and a master’s from Texas A&M. 

Matt Simcox, Outreach Coordinator
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Matt Simcox joined TWF as outreach coordinator in April 2008, where he coordinated the day-to-day operations of the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program and Hunters for the Hungry. Additional staff was added to accommodate the growth of the programs, and in 2011, Matt took on a new role at TWF's first full-time Hunters for the Hungry manager. He now dedicates his time to the continued growth of the program, with a mission to help eradicate hunter in Tennessee with donated venison. Matt is a 2007 graduate of Tennessee Technological University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in communications. While attending TTU, he spent two semesters interning with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's information and education department. He has volunteered his time to numerous events for TWRA and TWF, including the SCTP State Championship and the Sandhill Crane Days at the Hiwassee Refugee. He is also active in his church and has started a local sportsmen's ministry. Matt is from and resides in Cookeville, Tennessee, with his wife, Alice, his daughter, Addison, and son, Fisher. He is an avid hunter and angler and enjoys spending time with his family and in the great outdoors.

Lauren Bell, Executive Assistant
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Lauren Bell joined TWF in March as the executive assistant. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, she managed former Tennessee House Majority Leader Kim McMillan’s run for governor. Lauren manages the office and intern program, among other important functions at TWF headquarters.

Erin Tyrell, Development Assistant
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Erin Tyrell is a part-time employee in the development office, managing donor communications and membership. She joined TWF in March of this year, and formerly worked for Tennessee State Parks as a geospatial analyst. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Erin also volunteers as a trip leader with the Great Outdoors University program.

Mac Jones, Office Assistant
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Mac Jones has joined TWF as a part-time office assistant. He is a recent graduate of Tennessee Technological University, with a degree in wildlife and fisheries science.Financial Management provided by Imagine This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it