Rob Keck

[WKYHNTR]

Has it ever came out why Rob Keck and two others supposedly quit or fired? I was just wondering, I have also been researching on the Internet and noticed that in 2005 Keck earned $360,765 in salary and retirement, plus $57,156 in expenses. WOW! That’s all I have got to say! WOW! I mean this is an organization based on people donating and giving what they can for 0 profit. The only profit being that we have turkeys and can keep that heritage for years to come. But come on was he really worth $400K? This year the National Convention was called “Year of the Volunteer” I’m not bashing the NWTF at all, I couldn’t function without turkeys and have been a member for years but why was this guy getting paid this much?

[ky_hunter72]

Got curious myself after reading your post. This is what I found.
http://takebackthenwtf.com/Facts.html

[TEmbry]

whether he was worth his pay check or not....he took a nothing organization and turned it into a HUGE organization that puts millions back into turkey hunting/habitat every year. This type of leadership has to be worth something, but who is to decide who?

I applaud him for resigning out of protest to his cabinet members being fired. Good on him for standing up for his friends, even if it meant a personal loss to him.


I still see the NWTF doing great things, but that whole fiasco sure was a rocky spot in the road.

[BGTURKEYHUNTER]

I was a member/sponsor for 3 years. I worked the banquet every year like I was getting paid. If you have ever worked the banquet you know how hard it is for the local chapter to keep any money from the proceeds. Then every time I would turn on the TV and a turkey hunting show was on,here would be ROB KECK hunting somewhere (I couldnt afford to). NWTF has done exceptional things for Turkey hunting but it wouldnt be unusual for the direction to actually come from someone/group that wasnt in the spotlight like Rob Keck was.
$400K plus all expense paid hunting is a huge salary for a volunteer run organization. Not to mention all the free stuff a man in that position would receive just to have NWTF endorse it.
His salary kind of falls in place with everything else that happens in our society. The working man does the work and the rich reap the rewards.JMO. Is his position worth 400K?Probably not.Should the CEO/CFO/PRESIDENTS of Corporate America receive salaries and bonuses like they do even when the working man is bailing their company out??NO.If you can figure out how to change that situation, you will be making the big bucks!

[booner1331]

the new top guys making the same kind of jack....... I'm sure

[WhiteRubi]

I think the NWTF will be in much better shape within a few years. Having Michael Waddell as the spokesman will only help things. The line of people waiting to see him at the convention was neverending, it seemed. He is very popular with the younger crowd and that is what the former NWTF leadership lacked, among other things.

Like anything, only time will tell but I can see it becoming a GREAT organization in the very near future.

[stratos907]

I'm not sure any one man or woman is truly worth $400,000 a year. But who am I to say.....I agree Micheal Waddell will do good things for the organization. He's is one of my five favorite people...

1. My savior Jesus Christ
2. My daughter Jocelyn
3. The rest of my family
4. The guy who invented fishing
5. Micheal waddell

Last time I checked my list, Rob Keck ranked about 98,755th..just below George W. Bush and Snoop Dog

[skin_dog1]

The NWTF has slowly dropped their local support to a point that the folks raising the money feel there is not reason to work as hard as they do for no return. It's almost embarassing actually. You bust your butt for 12 months out of the year gathering doantions, trying to pry money from sponsors, preparing for the big banquet....... Then when it's all said and done, you get $300 for a scholorship, $300 for jakes day, $300 to sponsor some other local event...... It's pretty sad when you send a $40,000 check to the super fund and get $900 back for the local group that worked so hard to raise that money. Especially when you see the president getting a salary worth in excess of a half million dollars after bennies. The NWTF has outgrown the grass roots origin and has turned into a corporation that spends too much operating. It happens to most conservation groups at some point. I sure hope it turns around, but too many people have harsh feelings about these groups.

[Zack Attack]

A chapter that I am familiar with in Georgia rebelled a little bit this year. They sold Jake sponsors for $300 dollars along with the regular sponsor. Most people did the Jake sponsor. All of the Jake sponsorship money went towards their upcoming Jake day. I thought it was a pretty smart way to do. This chapter has been golden gobbler for years and have been huge supporters. The CEO came in from Edgefield to be apart of their banquet. Funny how he gets wind of what they are doing and shows up.

[Turkin8or]

Skin Dog said it pretty well.. when you send forty thousand to an operation and you only get $900 back.....that's just wrong.
On top of that, there was quite a bit going on behind the scenes in Keck's "resignation",
there were many allegations of fraud, as well as items missing from the NWTF museum.
You will probably never hear the whole story , but where there is smoke........ you know the rest.
The salaries these execs were making were simply outrageous, another example of corporate greed. Just imagine making half a million a year plus perks, just to hunt and be a spokesman.

Salaries of the fired execs:
Rob Keck, earned $380,810, plus"undetermined" expenses
Carl Brown, earned $293,858 plus a $23,287 expense account.
Dick Rosenlieb,$173,977 plus $19,384 in expenses

I could go on and on, but I'll quit now. Overall the NWTF has done some great things, but just like other things, there comes time for a new leadership to point the mission in a new direction.

[Orange]

Skin Dog said it pretty well.. when you send forty thousand to an operation and you only get $900 back.....that's just wrong.
On top of that, there was quite a bit going on behind the scenes in Keck's "resignation",
there were many allegations of fraud, as well as items missing from the NWTF museum.
You will probably never hear the whole story , but where there is smoke........ you know the rest.
The salaries these execs were making were simply outrageous, another example of corporate greed. Just imagine making half a million a year plus perks, just to hunt and be a spokesman.

Salaries of the fired execs:
Rob Keck, earned $380,810, plus"undetermined" expenses
Carl Brown, earned $293,858 plus a $23,287 expense account.
Dick Rosenlieb,$173,977 plus $19,384 in expenses

I could go on and on, but I'll quit now. Overall the NWTF has done some great things, but just like other things, there comes time for a new leadership to point the mission in a new direction.

How much should they be allowed to make to run a $100 million dollar corporation? You guys sound like a bunch of dang socialists, no communists. The NWTF is a bussiness with all of the issues that every business has to deal with. If they do not make a bunch of $$, nothing good gets done. It takes talented people to get these things done and you have to pay for that talent. And if you think that all they do is hunt and go to banquets, your ignorance is obvious.

[slickhead slayer]

$380,000 is not alot to run a large organization. Its not even close to market value. You get what you pay for, and if you want an executive thats going to grow your organization, you better pay well, or you will get what you pay for. What do you guys think he should make? $90,000? Yeah, I am sure you would get a really qualified person for $90,000.

Now about the NWTF. They have done wonderful things, and they are a big part of the reason why turkeys have flourished across the US. But their time has come and went. Turkeys are established across the US, populations don't need any help. They do some good things with Jake programs and scholarships and such, but thats not much for what they take in. I put my money in alot of other organizations that still need the dollars. The NWTF doesn't need to be that big, their mission has been accomplished.

[Turkin8or]

Orange,I don't speak on ignorance of the subject, just only truths. I never said that it wasn't big business, just that I thought they were making too much. The NWTF as a whole has done good for the wild turkey, but there were internal issues to be resolved.
There were many other issues with the former NWTF management team, such as the firing of the wheelin sportsman's founder Kirk Thomas. Or the "missing" calls from the NWTF museum. Brown and Rosenlieb coincidentally had a large collection of VERY valuable Neil Cost box calls for sale, calls that Neil had donated to the museum????

Other Facts:

• A few of the board members hired an outside audit group to come in and go through the books. That happened.

• They determined that there was improper use of moneys(for memberships and hunting trips, including the Africa one). Which I think is a nice way to say fraud on the part of the executives.

• The board was going to fire Carl Brown & Dick Rosenlieb for this as being responsible.

• They went to Keck and told him to fire these guys and Keck refused to do it. Seems when the NWTF Charter was written back when the organization started that any of the executive board would only be terminated by the CEO. Keck is the CEO and was not going to follow orders from the directors. Push came to shove and Keck was threatened with legal authority to comply.

• Keck finally came around and fired them.

• This was to have happened just prior to last year’s convention. Rather then having to explain this in Atlanta they waited till after the convention was over. So at this point two of the three guys were gone.

• Once this was done the board of directors in as much fired Keck . This resulting in the comments about his retirement. They gave Rob till June first to clear out.

[buckfever]

$380,000 is not alot to run a large organization. Its not even close to market value. You get what you pay for, and if you want an executive thats going to grow your organization, you better pay well, or you will get what you pay for. What do you guys think he should make? $90,000? Yeah, I am sure you would get a really qualified person for $90,000.

Now about the NWTF. They have done wonderful things, and they are a big part of the reason why turkeys have flourished across the US. But their time has come and went. Turkeys are established across the US, populations don't need any help. They do some good things with Jake programs and scholarships and such, but thats not much for what they take in. I put my money in alot of other organizations that still need the dollars. The NWTF doesn't need to be that big, their mission has been accomplished.

Good post, Slick.

The reality is that the NWTF has achieved its primary objectives. Turkeys are established and thriving in most areas of the continental US. The time has come for this non-profit to scale back to meet existing needs.

It is no longer necessary for NWTF to engage in the same fundraisers that were employed 10-15 years ago. Now, it's more about avid turkey hunters using the local chapters to hang out and throw a big banquet. Most of the money that is raised gets gobbled up in the increasingly inefficient corporate machinery. My view is that the NWTF was never intended to insure permanent jobs for its employees/organizers. If it comes to to perpetuating the NWTF just to pay its employees, it should simply drop the non-profit designation.

[CALLOWAY HUNTER]

I remember when the state was doing the restocking and trapping most of the turkey at LBL. They provided the boxes to put the turkey in.

[stratos907]

The NWTF has slowly dropped their local support to a point that the folks raising the money feel there is not reason to work as hard as they do for no return. It's almost embarassing actually. You bust your butt for 12 months out of the year gathering doantions, trying to pry money from sponsors, preparing for the big banquet....... Then when it's all said and done, you get $300 for a scholorship, $300 for jakes day, $300 to sponsor some other local event...... It's pretty sad when you send a $40,000 check to the super fund and get $900 back for the local group that worked so hard to raise that money. Especially when you see the president getting a salary worth in excess of a half million dollars after bennies. The NWTF has outgrown the grass roots origin and has turned into a corporation that spends too much operating. It happens to most conservation groups at some point. I sure hope it turns around, but too many people have harsh feelings about these groups.

Agreed....and these harsh feelings are for the mot part warranted. I personally have never, nor will ever belong to the NWTF, NRA, HTAA, DU, ect.ect.ect. But have many friends that do. We all have that right to choose.I choose to give my support and if neccesary, donate my time and money to the KDFWR. They are here to help guide us in managing our resources and do a very good job. I will hunt with my children when come of age, I hunt with friends children, and all kids I can. These are MY jakes. The Lord is my CEO, and I count on the state and local wildlife enforcement as my constituancy.

[BGTURKEYHUNTER]

The pay for excutives has been inflated much like the housing market and home prices. Without a doubt a leader has to be paid a fair salary to draw the qualified people. In todays economy everywhere you look companies are loosing money but the so called "talented people" are still drawing the enormous salary and perks. If your company is loosing money you may not be the talented leader you are supposed to be. Just because you make the big salary doesnt mean you are the "talented one". Slickhead slayer said "you get what you pay for". I would disagree in the ROB KECK case. If you know your management team is doing things to defraud the organization and you do nothing or even worse you support them,then you are no better than they are. NWTF is a not for profit organization for the conservation and preservation of the Wild Turkey. The super fund is not the personal wallet of the officers.
Its obvious that there are many different opinions on this thread just like all the other threads on here.

[Orange]

Orange,I don't speak on ignorance of the subject, just only truths. I never said that it wasn't big business, just that I thought they were making too much. The NWTF as a whole has done good for the wild turkey, but there were internal issues to be resolved.
There were many other issues with the former NWTF management team, such as the firing of the wheelin sportsman's founder Kirk Thomas. Or the "missing" calls from the NWTF museum. Brown and Rosenlieb coincidentally had a large collection of VERY valuable Neil Cost box calls for sale, calls that Neil had donated to the museum????

Other Facts:

• A few of the board members hired an outside audit group to come in and go through the books. That happened.

• They determined that there was improper use of moneys(for memberships and hunting trips, including the Africa one). Which I think is a nice way to say fraud on the part of the executives.

• The board was going to fire Carl Brown & Dick Rosenlieb for this as being responsible.

• They went to Keck and told him to fire these guys and Keck refused to do it. Seems when the NWTF Charter was written back when the organization started that any of the executive board would only be terminated by the CEO. Keck is the CEO and was not going to follow orders from the directors. Push came to shove and Keck was threatened with legal authority to comply.

• Keck finally came around and fired them.

• This was to have happened just prior to last year’s convention. Rather then having to explain this in Atlanta they waited till after the convention was over. So at this point two of the three guys were gone.

• Once this was done the board of directors in as much fired Keck . This resulting in the comments about his retirement. They gave Rob till June first to clear out.

I absolutely agree with you that there were problems. But my main question to you, and others, is this: How much do you think somebody in Keck's position should have been paid? You and others said it they were being paid too much. So, what is the limit?

[WKYHNTR]

I don't know what he should make, but I do know that he made in one year almost as much as the President of the United States did in 2005.

[slickhead slayer]

The pay for excutives has been inflated much like the housing market and home prices. Without a doubt a leader has to be paid a fair salary to draw the qualified people. In todays economy everywhere you look companies are loosing money but the so called "talented people" are still drawing the enormous salary and perks. If your company is loosing money you may not be the talented leader you are supposed to be. Just because you make the big salary doesnt mean you are the "talented one". Slickhead slayer said "you get what you pay for". I would disagree in the ROB KECK case. If you know your management team is doing things to defraud the organization and you do nothing or even worse you support them,then you are no better than they are. NWTF is a not for profit organization for the conservation and preservation of the Wild Turkey. The super fund is not the personal wallet of the officers.
Its obvious that there are many different opinions on this thread just like all the other threads on here.

According to the link someone posted, an independent auditing company was hired, and found no wrong doing.Do you have info that says otherwise? I also find it odd that the board would be so divided if fraud was involved.

[Mepperson]

last time i checked my list, rob keck ranked about 98,755th..just below george w. Bush and snoop dog

now that"s funny!

[turkey]

I use to love to see NWTF stickers in trucks...loved the local events...now it makes me sick...

All the stuff at banquets now is cheap...basic junk...from guns to prints...etc...

I hate seeing all the money going out to pay for their hunts and run a TV show...

If that money would have been spent or invested better it would have really meant a lot to local chapters...buying implements, tractors, atv's, etc...but it didn't return locally like it should have...

My opinion on the new spokesperson is not to high but it is all a marketing game...numbers numbers numbers...

I will never give them another dime of my money...it makes me so mad to think about it I don't even care to finish this post with what all I really want to say...

Would have been nice just to get to attend the banquet at no cost after giving up hours of my time...

[Turkin8or]

I absolutely agree with you that there were problems. But my main question to you, and others, is this: How much do you think somebody in Keck's position should have been paid? You and others said it they were being paid too much. So, what is the limit?

I think the amount anyone should be paid for any job should be valued upon their worth and output. I completely agree that it is not a 50k job for Joe the plumber ;) ,but many things in the NWTF were not headed in the right direction.
Will this be a change for the good? Who knows? only time will tell, I sure hope so.

[beards-n-bone]

Last time I checked my list, Rob Keck ranked about 98,755th..just below George W. Bush and Snoop Dog
Dont be a hatea brotha! Snoop D-o double G got it goin on. I rank him up there with Laitner, Coack K, Hitler, Castro, Stalin, and while we are talkin communists........Obama:cool:

[thunderchicken09]

Why do you all hate rob keck so much for?

[biggun]

The NWTF has its problems. I'm definitely not a cheerleader for how things have been done in the past. I think that is what the terminations was about. New blood and maybe a better direction. I do hope the banquet items improve. From what I understand the items are under contract for two(may be just one) more years from the current suppliers and then they can fix the quality issues.

If the NWTF isn't doing anything in your area its because either you don't have a chapter or your chapter is not doing enough. My chapter not only has a true Jakes day but, we also have a Wheelin Sportsman deer hunt. I can't think of any other local organization that takes kids outdoors to keep them interested in hunting and fishing. How many other organizations take guys in wheelchairs deer hunting? This summer will be our 8th or 9th Jakes day and our fourth Wheelin Sportsman hunt. If it were not for the NWTF none of these activities would exist.

On our Jakes day we get to use the local conservation camp Robert C. Webb for the day. The Jakes get to shoot 22 rifles both on a short paper target course and a longer prone course. They get to practice archery. Learn boating safety in the canoes. Shoot skeet. The kids have a blast.

Our Wheelin Sportsmen hunt takes place at Camp Webb. We get a whole weekend for our guys and gals to come out and hunt. We set up blinds and any other equipment the hunters may need. We get around 15 hunters and usually everyone gets a chance at a deer. We killed 13 this past October. Everyone has a great time including our chapter members. This type of hunt is truely something that will change the way think about life.

If it wasn't for the NWTF these activites would not be held. PERIOD.

[BGTURKEYHUNTER]

According to the link someone posted, an independent auditing company was hired, and found no wrong doing.Do you have info that says otherwise? I also find it odd that the board would be so divided if fraud was involved.

The link I went to was "take back the NWTF" which appears to be a website owned by Michael Tull who was on the board of Directors and one of the Rob Keck supporters. The vote was 9 to 7 initially to keep Keck before his empire Imploded. I dont know anymore of the details than what I read on the web, But the one thing I do know, in most situations in the corporate environment when you start accepting gifts worth large amounts of dollars someone is wanting something. Most corporation/governments dont allow employees to accept anything more than $25 in value. An intelligent person should expect a conflict of interest situation to arise when they are given a gift that may be worth several thousand dollars. With all that has been posted,opinions and facts and heresay, the fact still remains that he Rob was making close to $400k a year . Some of you think that is in line and I dont.That will not change for either of us. The pay scales for jobs are so out of line (JMO). Our soldiers make poverty level while fighting for our freedoms, our first responders make $25K and up and then you get corporate officers that make mega bucks with perks for their "talents"??And before you strike back that i must be one of the low paid guys with a grudge, Im not. I just get sick of seeing that because you wear a suit/tie and have a nice office that those people sometimes think they are above the same standards that everyone else must work to.

[Tom Threetoes]

BGturkeyhunter I agree 100% somewhere along the line our priorities got confused.

[stratos907]

"On our Jakes day we get to use the local conservation camp Robert C. Webb for the day. The Jakes get to shoot 22 rifles both on a short paper target course and a longer prone course. They get to practice archery. Learn boating safety in the canoes. Shoot skeet. The kids have a blast"
This the responsibility of the parent (fathers). The absolute last thing a child needs to see is a NWTF banquet.