Delta Waterfowl Appoints New Chairman of the Board

John M. Dunlap brings leadership experience and passion for waterfowl hunting to Delta’s governing body

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — John M. Dunlap of Newmarket, Ontario, began a two-year term as Delta’s chairman of the board on July 1.

Dunlap, a lifelong waterfowl hunter and conservationist, has served on Delta’s Board of Directors since 2021, including the past two years as vice chairman. Dunlap said he’s honored to serve as Delta’s chairman, and he plans to help support and guide the organization’s increased delivery of key duck production programs. He also aims to grow Delta’s research program and build key policy partnerships to increase waterfowl populations and protect and promote waterfowl hunting.

“I am a firm believer in active management of wetlands to improve conditions for waterfowl,” Dunlap said. “We need our remaining wetlands to be as productive as possible by ensuring our public refuges are in the best shape possible and deploying the best tools possible to maintain and grow waterfowl populations. Hunters are critical to make it happen.”

Dunlap was introduced to hunting at an early age by his grandmother Louise Ireland Humphrey, a noted conservationist who loved to hunt quail and waterfowl, served on the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, and was inducted into the Florida Wildlife Federation Hall of Fame in 2001. Dunlap is president of the Nicholson Island Hunting Club and a member of the Long Point Company, which stewards waterfowl habitat on Lake Erie. 

He holds an MBA from Northwestern University in Illinois, and a bachelor of commerce from Queen’s University in Ontario. He is president of Moffat Dunlap Real Estate Limited, a broker for premium properties in southern Ontario. He maintains farms and wildlife properties in Ontario, Georgia, and Florida. He enjoys the outdoors with his wife, daughter, and two sons.

"It’s a privilege to help support Delta to improve waterfowl science and the mission to increase duck production, conserve habitat, and protect hunting,” Dunlap said. “I want our grandchildren to have more ducks over their decoys and show that hunters are the best stewards of waterfowl and ecosystems.”

Jason Tharpe, Delta’s chief executive officer, lauded Dunlap’s leadership qualities and passion for conservation.

“Throughout his tenure on Delta’s Board, John Dunlap has brought vision and strength forward in support of Delta’s mission,” Tharpe said. “He will be an excellent leader as Delta continues to ramp up our duck production programs, increases the impact of our policy work to conserve wetlands and improve refuges, and builds on our legacy of innovative waterfowl research.”

Dunlap succeeds George C. Freeman III of Richmond, Virginia, who has served on Delta’s Board since 2002, the past two years as chairman. During Freeman’s tenure, Delta concluded the Million Duck Campaign, which raised $284 million with a goal of adding 1 million ducks to every fall flight. Delta has grown the organization’s Hen House and Predator Management program delivery, rapidly expanded the University Hunting Program, delivered impactful policy outcomes, and worked to increase hunting opportunities. Freeman remains on the Board as past chairman.

Geoff Shepstone of Barrington, Illinois, has been elected vice chairman. He is the former founding owner and president of Telecom Brokerage Inc., and a graduate of Iowa State University School of Business.

Robert B. Trainer Jr. of Houston, Texas, continues as treasurer. Additional returning Board members include Paul C. “Bo” Aughtry III of Greenville, South Carolina; Jim Bebo of Orono, Minnesota; John W. Childs of Vero Beach, Florida; Peek Garlington III of Lexington, Kentucky; Tucker Knight of Houston, Texas; W. Frank McCreight of Westworth Village, Texas; Rosemary McIlhenny of Nashville, Tennessee; Michael H. Mooney of Chicago, Illinois; Jack Paris of Bismarck, North Dakota; Sprague Richardson of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ariel Grange Somes of Terra Cotta, Ontario; Greg Twardowski of Frontenac, Missouri; Don Valentine of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Jesse Vogtle of Birmingham, Alabama; Deke Welles of St. Louis, Missouri; and Duncan F. Williams of Memphis, Tennessee.
Delta welcomes new Board members William Bettman of Chicago, Illinois; Michael Mathwig of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Scott Wolf of Livingston, Montana.

Delta extends thanks to Patrick J. Rothwell of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Timothy B. Robertson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who have completed their Board service and now become members of Delta’s Ambassadors Circle.

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America.