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Go to the shopExecutive Committee
David is a Principal of Watter, Wolf, Bub and Hansmann. He is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who has successfully defended his clients in areas of complex personal injury and property damage, litigation including premises liability, construction, transportation, products liability and various catastrophic injury lawsuits. David has been a GRHA Board member for 20 years and has been hunting in the Confluence his entire life. David owns the Mallards Nest duck club in St. Charles as well as an upland farm in Scotland County where he manages habitat for upland birds and deer. In addition to GRHA, David is a life member of Quail forever. He is actively involved in QF where he served as the inaugural president of the Gateway Chapter of QF; the first Quail Forever chapter in the nation. Alongside his love for the outdoors, David has a fondness for bird dogs.
David Bub, Esq.
President
Chris Hyams lives in Frontenac with his wife, Candace, son, Charlie (16) and son George (15). He is currently President of GS&S Construction, a mid-size commercial general contractor, which recently celebrated its 100th year in business. Chris began working at GS&S when he was 15 and purchased the company 9 years ago.Chris attended DeSmet Jesuit High School (’87) and graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State) with a degree in Construction Management.Chris has been on the Board of Directors for Great Rivers Habitat Alliance for 13 years and has served as President for the past 6 years.Chris served on the Board of Governors at the Missouri Athletic Club and currently serves on the Preservation Foundation and Rod & Gun Club Committees. He also serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission in Frontenac.In his spare time, he enjoys duck hunting, clay bird shooting, and helping manage Baldwin Land Company, where he currently as President.
Christopher J. Hyams
Chairman of the Board
Mark Merlotti, CPA, CFP is shareholder and advisor at Renaissance Financial. A graduate of University of Missouri – Columbia, Mark earned his BS in accounting before going on to the Advanced Management Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mark is an avid waterfowl hunter and conservationist. He supports Great Rivers’ mission to preserve experiences for generations to come.
Mark Merlotti
Treasurer
Jason Cleveland
Events Chair
Lincoln Gray
Membership
An energetic Irishman with a passion for entrepreneurship, the outdoors, comradery, and a few pints. A graduate from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, with a focus on marketing, management, and logistics. McDara is the president of Green Leaf Procurement, a marketing, logistics, promotional company in St. Louis, MO. A family man, he is married to his wife KC, and they have three wonderful kids. McDara is dedicated to conservation and protection of all things’ wildlife and natural habitat.
McDara Obrien
Marketing
Patrick Wittenbrink, Esq.
Secretary
Mike is the Executive Director for the Great Rivers Habitat alliance (GRHA). Prior to joining GRHA, Mike was employed with Ducks Unlimited for 18 years, serving roles in Conservation, Communications and Development, most recently as the Director of Development for Missouri and Kentucky. Mikes 28-year career in conservation includes serving as the State Waterfowl Biologist and Migratory Bird Program Leader for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Research Scientist for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He was a member of the Mississippi Flyway Technical Section and Council. Mike holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Missouri’s School of Agriculture, Wildlife and Fisheries. Mike is a fourth-generation St. Louisan who grew up in the outdoors and is no stranger to the Confluence having hunted on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers since the 1980’s. He lives in Wildwood, Missouri with his wife, three children, Labrador and Boykin Spaniel. Mike is part of the Over & Under and Quacker hunt clubs in the Confluence and Duck Head Lodge in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
J. Michael Checkett
Executive Director
Board of Directors
James T. Blair, IV
Board Member
Founder
In 1999, Adolphus A. Busch, IV became extremely concerned regarding the construction of a 500-year levee to protect a commercial development alongside wetland habitat in the Confluence. Adolphus was the leader and catalyst in forming Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, founded in 2000 to directly combat the commercial development of the 100-year Confluence flood plain. Adolphus and GRHA were instrumental in bringing the City of St. Peters to court regarding their attempt to remove a tract of land from the Mississippi River floodplain. That case set a precedence for other municipalities who attempted to do the same without doing their due diligence regarding the flood plain.Adolphus continues as an active board member with GRHA and is instrumental in supporting GRHA’s vision of protecting the Confluence flood plain for the benefit of all.
Adolphus A. Busch, IV
Board Member
Founder
Paul Dalba graduated from St. Louis University in 1999 with a B.S. in History. Following graduation, Paul became VP of construction at his family’s real estate development company. In 2006, Paul founded Vista Holdings LLC, a company serving the St. Louis region with real estate investments, subdivision development, home construction management and property sales. Paul is a family man who has a deep connection with nature and values the importance of environmental stewardship. As an avid outdoorsman, Paul particularly enjoys exploring Missouri’s natural environment with family and friends. Hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, sailing and golf are among his favorite activities.
Paul Joseph Dalba
Board Member
Daniel W. Fort, a St. Louis native, resides in Ladue with his wife and four sons. With nearly two decades of legal experience, he serves a diverse client base and specializes in real estate and corporate law. In 2009, he established The Law Office of Daniel W. Fort, LLC after starting his career with a title company. Fort is known for drafting conservation easement agreements, particularly in the Confluence area, aiming to preserve critical waterfowl habitat. Following his father Garth’s legacy, a founder of GRHA, Daniel serves on its board. He pursued his education at the Kent School and Mizzou, majoring in political science, before attending Tulane Law School, where he graduated as the President of the SBA. Outside his legal practice, he enjoys building, duck hunting, mountain biking, and volunteering with Pack 280 at Our Lady of Lourdes School in University City to share his passion for the outdoors with his children.
Daniel W. Fort, Esq.
Board Member
Joe Genovese
Board Member
Ed Holt is a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and a graduate of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. His over 30-year career with Edward Jones brought him to Saint Louis where he serves as a General Partner and Financial Advisor. He has supported several organizations that he is passionate about, most recently as a board member of World Pediatrics. Ed and his wife, Rachelle, are the proud parents of two adult children, Olivia and William. Ed loves to spend quality time with friends and family outdoors … hunting, golfing and boating, especially at Lake of the Ozarks.
Ed Holt
Board Member
Richard C. Holton, Sr.
Board Member
Founder
Rick Holton, Jr. is Chief Operating Officer at Hermann Companies and a founding General Partner at FINTOP Capital. He attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned dual degrees in Engineering and Economics. He also earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Rick serves on the company boards of Arch Design, BridgeFT, Denim Social, EmpowerMe, InsurePay, KnowInk, SmartX, and Transactly. Rick uses his business experience to serve the community on several philanthropic boards including Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, Academy of Science, Danforth Leadership Council, Concordance Academy, and YPO St. Louis. He finds joy in spending time outdoors and is dedicated to conservation and sustainable hunting. Rick spends time with his family at their farm in St. Charles, Missouri, with a focused effort on waterfowl habitat.
Richard C. Holton, Jr.
Board Member
Don C. Musick, III
Board Member
Founder
Nick Pelligreen
Board Member
Principal Sansone GroupDoug Sansone grew up in the world of CRE and celebrated 25 years at Sansone Group this year. Honored with St. Louis’ “40 Under 40,” “Most Influential St. Louisians” multiple times as well as inducted into “Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame” in 2014, Doug is a well-respected and successful community leader and CRE professional. He has experience in all facets of CRE and is licensed by the Missouri Real Estate Commission. He is a member of the St. Louis Association of Realtors and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). In 1994, he received his B.A. degree from St. Louis University and has a Masters in Real Estate from the Webster University.
Douglas Sansone
Board Member
Jason Schnuck
Board Member
Mike, along with his father and brother, is the owner of Jay Henges Enterprises, Inc (JHE). Jay Henges Enterprises is the holding company of Henges Interiors, Henges Insulation in Olathe KS, and Porta-King Building Systems. Henges Interiors, a leading flooring, insulation, and commercial carpentry contractor for commercial and residential construction in St. Louis, MO. Porta-King Building Systems is a nationally leading manufacturer of guard buildings, structural mezzanines and towers, and modular in-plant offices. Mike is a partner at Baldwin Land Co. Duck club where he enjoys spending time in the beautiful Missouri Confluence with this wife Nikki, and four children, Josh, Max, Emme, and Gus.Mike received his Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology (2003) and his Master of Science in Industrial Management (2005) from Southeast Missouri State University and Master of Business Administration (2017) from the University of Missouri Columbia.
Mike Schulte
Board Member
Henry Schwetye
Board Member
Tim Sheahan
Board Member
Andrew Spann
Board Member
Cody Stokes
Board Member
Philip von Gontard, CFA Philip is the owner of Philip von Gontard, CFA, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor providing conservative investment planning and portfolio management services to high-net-worth individuals since 2003. Prior to forming Philip von Gontard, CFA, LLC, Philip was a Senior Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager for Commerce Trust Company in St. Louis dealing with private clients as well as institutional and charitable foundations. Philip received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from St. Louis University in 1982 and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from St. Louis University in 1987. Philip received a Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1994. He is a member of the St. Louis Society of Financial Analysts and a member of the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR).
Philip von Gontard
Board Member
Chip has been a lifelong hunter. From being carried on his father’s back and sliding off when bird dogs went on point, to setting up goose decoys on a golf course just to call them in, hunting has always been in his blood. He grew up duck hunting around the Swan Lake area and now enjoys hunting in the confluence at Ol’Blue Farms, and at his family’s personal farm near Salisbury, MO. From being around ducks and wetland habitat since a small age, he has a passion to see the confluence protected so it can be enjoyed for generations to come. Professionally, he is the Vice-President of Sales at Wagner Portrait Group, his family’s second-generation school photography company. Chip is married to Dr. Hallie Lillmars and together they have 4 boys: Hank (9), Benji (7), Davis (4) and Conrad (18 months). Beyond the outdoor, he enjoys playing golf & cooking with friends and family.
Chip Wagner
Board Member
DEVELOPMENT BOARD
DEVELOPMENT BOARD: Is comprised of members of the community who have strong interests and ties to GRHA’s mission and will assist the Board of Directors and staff to accomplish the mission and goals of the organization.
EXPECTATIONS: Expectations of Development Board members is an annual philanthropic commitment, participation in Development meetings, holding two fundraising fun events per year and several stewardship-only social gatherings.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS: Include but not limited to: Sporting Clays Shoot, Golf Tournament, Game Dinners, and Raffles These events will be hosted by the Development Board and open to the public with the intention of building GRHA membership and raising funds toward our mission.
SOCIAL EVENTS: Include Happy Hours, club BBQs, sports events – periodic gatherings to build connections and stewardship. Development Board members provide additional support within the GRHA booth at Duck Fest and other public events. They promote membership sales and build organizational strength.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Development Board members will assist execution of membership efforts, social media and are tasked with raising public awareness and additional funds to sustain the GRHA Mission.
EXPECTATIONS: Expectations of Development Board members is an annual philanthropic commitment, participation in Development meetings, holding two fundraising fun events per year and several stewardship-only social gatherings.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS: Include but not limited to: Sporting Clays Shoot, Golf Tournament, Game Dinners, and Raffles These events will be hosted by the Development Board and open to the public with the intention of building GRHA membership and raising funds toward our mission.
SOCIAL EVENTS: Include Happy Hours, club BBQs, sports events – periodic gatherings to build connections and stewardship. Development Board members provide additional support within the GRHA booth at Duck Fest and other public events. They promote membership sales and build organizational strength.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Development Board members will assist execution of membership efforts, social media and are tasked with raising public awareness and additional funds to sustain the GRHA Mission.
Jake is the Creative Director and a Realtor at Trophy Properties and Auction. He grew up in St. Louis, MO, attended Baylor University, and worked in the film industry all over the world for 10 years before joining Trophy. Jake and his wife, Christina, live in St. Louis with their dog, Tengo. He pursues an active outdoor lifestyle - you can often find him hunting, camping, running, cycling, hiking... generally not sitting still for long and usually with a camera in his hand. He is an active member of the Missouri Athletic Club, on the Development Board for Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, a Friends Board Member for City Academy in St. Louis, and on the Kids and Clays Committee with Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.
Jake Brown
Development Board
Andrew Bouquet works as a financial advisor and “Family CFO” at Moneta Group. Andrew seeks to be a ‘go-to’ trusted advisor for the families he works with and to make a positive impact on their lives. Andrew handles a variety of financial issues facing clients, including cash management, investments, retirement planning, and tax planning, however, his training as an attorney has given him a particular expertise in estate planning.Andrew received his B.S., summa cum laude, in Finance and Spanish from the University of Dayton in 2012 and his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2015. During law school, Andrew worked at a local estate planning law firm, in the corporate law department of a large public company, and spent a semester as a legal "extern" at the Saint Louis Zoo. Andrew is passionate about hunting and wildlife conservation. When he’s not at work, you can find him on a tractor or in a tree stand at his family’s farm in Pike County, Missouri. Andrew serves as Treasurer for the St. Louis Chapter of Quail Forever and on the Young Professionals Board of Great Rivers Environmental Law Center.
Andrew Bouquet
Development Board Co-Chair
Andrew Bagy
Development Board
Jeff Cammon
Development Board
Clayton Costello
Development Board
Clark Costello
Development Board
JJ Costello
Development Board
Louis Eckelkamp
Development Board
Charlie Green
Development Board
Andrew Grumney
Development Board
Drew Halliday is an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and sales professional currently working in fabrication/construction. Drew formed a deep passion for the outdoors from a young age spending summers in Canada at a cottage his Grandfather built by hand. Drew grew up exploring the woods, lakes, and wetlands in the remote wilderness of northern Ontario. Land owner in the historic floodplain at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Focused on conservation and protecting sporting traditions for generations to come. Chaminade College Preparatory School and University of Missouri - Columbia graduate.
Drew Halliday
Development Board
Nick Heyl
Development Board
Taylor Matthews
Development Board
Andrew Mower
Development Board
Matt Ott grew up in Kansas City and graduated from University of MO in 2000 with a degree in Personal Finance. He is currently the President and owner of ELK Advisory Group, LLC, a pension shop that specializes in consulting and administering 401(k) plans and defined benefit plans. He grew up hunting in the Kansas City area and since 2004 has developed a passion for the confluence area here locally and supporting their initiatives. Matt is married with two girls and spends his free time playing golf and doing anything outdoors
Matt Ott
Development Board Co-Chair
Anthony is the Marketing Coordinator at Trophy Properties and Auction, as well as the owner of Sprig Media. He attended Lindenwood University where he was on the Shotgun Sports Team and received a BS in Marketing. Anthony found a passion for waterfowl and wetlands when he was 12 years old during his first duck hunt in the Chesapeake Bay. Throughout hunting season, Anthony finds himself more often behind the camera than behind a shotgun. He has had his photos in Ducks Unlimited Magazine and was a finalist in Sitka Gear's Diverge 11 Photo Contest. Anthony enjoys spending his time with his wife, hunting, training retrievers, fishing and cooking.
Anthony Pozzi
Development Board
Kyle Rybak grew up in St. Charles County hunting the upper Mississippi river bottoms from a young age. He is an entrepreneur and owner of Evolution Lawnscape & Outdoor Services with hope to expand in the future. Kyle is active in several regional duck clubs and spends nearly every day of the season in the field. You can often find Kyle at a variety of hunting industry trade shows representing a number of different companies.
Kyle Rybak
Development Board
Dillon Sanders is a partner at D.H. Sanders, LLC, a full-service law firm that represents businesses and individuals in both transactional matters and litigation throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dillon has dedicated his practice to commercial and employment disputes, construction litigation, real estate disputes, non-compete and trade secret cases, general business disputes, business formation, and providing businesses with outside general counsel services. In addition to serving on the GRHA Development Board, Dillon is actively involved in the Red Shoe Society, a young professionals group that supports Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. Dillon enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, hunting, fishing, and training his yellow lab.
Dillon Sanders, Esq.
Development Board
Parker Sanders is the President of Nightline Express, Inc. Nightline is a 3rd Party Logistics company that moves freight all over the United States and Canada. Parker joined the GRHA Development Board to help protect and promote the wetland habitat and wildlife populations for future generations to enjoy. An avid outdoorsman, Parker has a passion for hunting both waterfowl and big game. A passion he shares with his wife and son.
Parker Sanders
Development Board
Brett Siegfried
Development Board
John Vitale
Development Board
Raymond Wagner III is a Senior Consultant at World Wide Technology. Prior to working at World Wide, Ray graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served over 8 years as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army. Ray is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. He loves to share a blind with friends, family, and his dog - Chance. When Ray isn’t hunting, he is spending time with his wife, Julia, and three kids.
Raymond Wagner III
Development Board
