NWTF Elects Newest Member of the National Board of Directors

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation welcomes its newest board member to serve on the National Board of Directors. William (Bill) D’Alonzo, will join the National Board of Directors, filling the seat of Robert Higginbotham, a long-serving board member and former national president who passed away in March.

“My goals and vision for my role as a new board member will be to serve and do all I can do to advance the efforts and fine work that the NWTF has done,” said D’Alonzo. ”I have great respect for the NWTF as I worked with them as a landowner on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to do a very successful Eastern Wild Turkey restoration in Kent County, Maryland.”

The NWTF owes its achievements, in part, to the dedicated efforts of its volunteer-led National Board of Directors. Committed to advancing the NWTF’s mission, the board plays a pivotal role in establishing organizational goals, objectives, and strategies, thereby shaping the future of mission-driven initiatives.

D’Alonzo is a highly accomplished individual with a wealth of experience in the financial industry and a strong commitment to land conservation and wildlife habitat restoration. As the former CEO and President of Friess Associates and chairman of the Brandywine Funds, he led the growth of Friess Associates from a small team to a staff of over 40, navigating through challenging periods such as the tech-stock bubble, the 9/11 attack, the Middle East conflict, and the Great Recession. D’Alonzo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and a MBA with a concentration in finance from Widener University.

Beyond his professional career, D’Alonzo actively serves on several non-profit boards, including Delaware Wild Lands, The University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Advisory Board, Wetlands America Trust, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Nemours Foundation. Throughout his involvement, he has chaired various committees, demonstrating his commitment to conservation, public policy, strategic planning, investments, audits, finance, governance, development, and executive matters.

“Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve always had a heart for wildlife and conservation,” said D’Alonzo. “Seeing all the places I hunted as a young man disappear, seeing habitat disappear and wildlife with it broke my heart.”

His genuine passion for habitat conservation and the engagement of future hunters is evident throughout many aspects of his life, including his Patron Life Sponsorship to the NWTF. Additionally, D’Alonzo personally owns and operates five farms spanning 1,800 acres, all of which are under conservation or agriculture easements.

He is happily married with two children and divides his time between residences in Wilmington, Delaware and Naples, Florida.

Current National Board of Directors

Harlan Starr – Chairman

Bryan Perry – President

Parks Shackelford – Vice president

Ronnie Reagin – Treasurer

Phil Savage – Secretary

William (Bill) D’Alonzo

David Baron

Marc Brinkmeyer

Richard Childress

Ray “Bear” Davidson

Linda Demmer

Dr. Robert Dettmer

Dal Dyches

Craig Harris

Chris Hinkle

Ben Noble

Marcia Polhamus

Joe Shults

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.

2023 is the NWTF’s 50th Anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th Anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF’s people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.