Officers
The Association would not be able to operate without the dedication of our officers. These individuals have agreed to serve as officers for a minimum of 2 years. Not to mention that all of the current officers are also founding members of the Association.
Executive Officers
Chris Edwards – President
Chris Edwards was raised in Stratton, Nebraska. Shortly out of high school he enlisted in the United States Navy. Now a retired Chief Petty Officer with over 20 years of faithful service. Of course he performed a wide array of job assignments while in the Navy to include: Military Police with K-9 background, Expeditionary Security Forces, Enlisted Recruiter, Medical Officer Programs Recruiter, Command Financial Specialist, and Trainer just to name a few. Now he serves as President of Big Game Conservation Association, past President of Big Red Whitetails and is on the Board of Directors of Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation.
A Member of Multiple Organizations
He is a member of multiple organizations including Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Quality Deer Management Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Wild Turkey Foundation, National Rifle Association and Delta Waterfowl. Consequently, his passion for the outdoors led him to start his own business, Big Red Outdoors, in October 2009. It has grown to over 50 members with 6,500 acres of private hunting ground leased in Nebraska. Requiring a better management tool for his club members, Chris worked with a computer programming firm to develop an online reservation system for member use.
A Military Retiree That Has a Drive to Succeed
Big Red Outdoors is actually the catalyst for driving Chris to the conservation arena as he wanted to learn more about improving the habitat on his leased properties. Big game herd management also led him to use RAKS™ Big Game Supplements on his properties and in April 2013 he purchased the company. His years in the military have given him an unparalleled work ethic, drive to succeed and focus on mission accomplishment. Traits that are key to any successful venture!
In addition, Chris started and runs the Nebraska Deer and Game Expo where you can find us exhibiting each January!
Martin Weverka – Vice President
Martin Weverka has been employed by Pet Smart for the last 18 years as a Store Manager. He also has 5 more years of management experience with Hy-Vee and YABC. Martin has a high school diploma and attended Metro Community College for 3 years and took general education classes.
Martin served for 2 years as the Treasurer for the Big Red Whitetails Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association. He is a volunteer/board member for the Clean Lake Council for the past 19 years. Not to mention, he has also volunteered with fundraisers for the Omaha Association of the Deaf for the last 20+ years.
Marty is also a current member of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, National Rifle Association, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, Nebraska Bow Hunters Association, Nebraska Sportsman Foundation and Quality Deer Management Association.
Jon Slaga – Secretary
Jon Slaga has lived in Nebraska all his life and been to many parts of the State. Born in Fremont, it is was when the family headed west to McCook that he got his love for the outdoors. Co-workers of his dad and a Bass Master professional neighbor was all it took. Then moving to Norfolk where he graduated and had friends that kept the hunting bug going. A move to Lincoln to take a construction job would move the hunting to the background for a while.
A career change and a brother in law that had a passion for the outdoors, is all it took for the flame to get relit. Now there is nothing that would keep him from not wanting to be in the trees. Jon went on to get his Hunter Education Instructor certificates and teaches the safety aspects of enjoying the outdoors. Not only that, he got his 2 daughters to find their enjoyment of the outdoor life.
Jon is active in Big Red Outdoors, NWTF, Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation, and the Nebraska Firearms Owner Association.
John Connell – Treasurer
John Connell was born in Johnstown PA and grew up in Tupelo MS where his parents still reside. Raised in west Tennessee, John’s father learned to hunt and fish as a young boy. His father passed his knowledge on to John as a young boy. As active hunters, his father and grandfather taught him to be ethical as an outdoorsman. As a teenager John taught himself to trap beaver, muskrat and mink. He has always had a passion for the outdoors and outdoor activities such as backpacking and camping. During his high school years he worked for the federal YCC (Youth Conservation Corps) building trails and conserving plant life, animal life and the history of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
After attending the University of Southern Mississippi and University of Mississippi he began working his way into retail management. Now he has 23 years experience in this field. John has lived in the Omaha metro area since 2001 and this is where he met his wife, DeAnna.
Mississippi to Nebraska – Home is Found
John is a member of several conservation organizations: Big Game Conservation Association, Fontenelle Forest, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Quality Deer Management Association, Nebraska Firearms Owners Association, and Ducks Unlimited. He is also associated with Big Red Outdoors, East Nebraska Gun Club, National Rifle Association, and International Hearing Dog Association.
At Large Officers
Rick Langstraat – Board Member
Rick Langstraat was born and raised hunting on the farms of Iowa. After a 22+ year career in the Air Force, he retired as a Master Sergeant. He and his wife Lucy relocated to Nebraska in 2003 continuing to serve the US Air Force as a Civilian, then transitioned to the US Department of Interior, National Park Service in 2015 where he works in the Midwest Regional Office, Internal Controls Office.
Rick is a founding member of the Big Game Conservation Association and proudly supports other conservation clubs such as Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to name a few. He is also a volunteer instructor with Nebraska Game and Parks teaching bowhunter and firearm hunter education and tree stand safety. He’s a life member of the NRA, The North American Hunting Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Furthermore, affiliations with the Nebraska Bowhunters Association, the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club, the Nebraska Firearm Owners Association, the Heartland Chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, and the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association demonstrate his passions.
Heavily Involved With Scouting
As a family man, he’s deeply involved with his sons’ scouting adventures. Of course, he is an assistant Den Leader for Pack 206 (Cub Scouts), and an Assistant Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor for Troop 888 in Papillion (Boy Scouts).
Scott Smathers – Board Member
Education
- Graduated Washington High School 1981 – Germantown, Wisconsin
- Attended University of Wisconsin at Lacrosse – Lacrosse, Wisconsin 1982-1985 Majoring in Economics and Finance with a minor in communications
Employment
- Executive Director – Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation; 2010-2023
- Pheasants Forever – Eastern Nebraska Regional Rep; 2008-2010
- Eggers Consulting – Executive Recruiting Firm in Banking; 2002-2010
- Pat Ryan & Associates/Ford Motor Credit – Western US District Manager; 1986-2008
- Conservation Memberships
- Pheasants Forever Life Member
- Quail Forever
- Ducks Unlimited
- National Wild Turkey Federation
- Quality Deer Management Association
- Big Game Conservation Association
- Nebraska Wildlife Federation
- Nebraska Firearms Owners Association
Professional Affiliations
- Cornhusker Chapter, Pheasants Forever; Lincoln, Nebraska
- President 2011-present
- Vice President 2009-2010
- Youth Chair 2009-2011
- Banquet Co-chair 2010-2013
- Habitat Co-chair 2009-2012
- Board Member, Big Game Conservation Association; 2012-present
- Executive Board Member, Nebraska Land Trust; 2010-present
- Member, Nebraska Water Task Force by appointment from the Nebraska Legislator; 2010, 2011, 2012
- Appointed by Governor Heineman in 2014 to the Natural Resource Commission and reappointed by Governor Ricketts in 2016; Vice Chairman 2017-present, Chairman of the Rules Committee 2014-2016, Member of Grant Approval Committee 2016-2017, Member of the Rules Committee 2016-present and Executive Board Member 2014-present.
- Co-Chair – Nebraska Sportsmen’s Legislative Forum; 2010-present
Scott Smathers is involved heavily in the outdoor arena. This is on both a professional and personal level. It is to help ensure, protect and enhance our traditions and heritage for future generations. Hunting, fishing and the outdoors were a key factor in his upbringing. As a result he has a strong belief that the traditions and rich values of family, honesty and strong moral fiber are learned from being active in the outdoors. Not only being a steward of our natural resources but preserving it for current and future generations. Not only is this his obligation but his passion.
Sharing His Love of the Outdoors With Family
Scott is married to his wonderful and supportive wife, Angie and also the proud father of two grown children, Nicole and Zach. He is also a grandpa to three amazing grandchildren. Not to mention, he is owner of three wonderful dogs and uncle to 5 fantastic nieces and nephews. Of course he is teaching them about the love of the outdoors and the rewards it provides.
Scott lived in Nebraska from 1974 to 1980 and again returned in 1985 where he has been ever since.
Jim Schwartz – Board Member
Jim was born and raised in