Wayne Sitton

Wildlife and Wilderness Development Specialist

Sought-after leader with demonstrated excellence in strategic planning, operations management, non-profit program development, and resource management. Expert-level management strategist who resurrects faltering divisions and restores profitability. Adept at establishing process improvements that advance performance levels and drive organizational objectives. Exceptional record of multi-unit management and improved client satisfaction levels. Innovative and creative business leader with a proven track record in managing business operations on a large scale from conception to launch.

  • Experienced manager recognized for building strong relationships while leveraging excellent negotiating skills to achieve success. Respected leader with extensive experience in the wildlife industry adept at identifying emerging trends and opportunities.
  • Adept and capable developing comprehensive operational and business processes that improve overall organizational performance. Skilled at welding, plumbing, electrical work and in heavy equipment operation and maintenance.
  • Passionate wildlife and wilderness development specialist, skilled in impacting the visibility, profitability, and performance of the organization through orchestration of resources.
  • Track record of developing highly successful campaigns within budget, on schedule and surpassing goals. Excellence in creating and managing revenue streams.

Core Competencies

Plumbing & Electrical Management · Construction Management · Welding & Painting · Firearm Repair & Maintenance · Community & Industry Image Enhancement · Marketing & Promotion Operations Management · Team Management · MS Office · Project Management · Team Leadership · Team Building · Compliance · Revenue Creation · Communication · Strategic Planning · Market Trends · Negotiation · Business Management · Strategic Analysis · Client Relations


Wayne Sitton accepts Quality Deer Manager of the Year Award from Joe Hamilton, co-founder of QDMA.

Turtle Lake Club, City · State   1997 - Present
A 26,000 acre privately owned hunting and fishing resort comprised of high net worth and high profile clientele.
Executive Operations Manager
Spearheaded daily club operations, which included staff oversight, recruitment, evaluations, payroll, record keeping, invoicing, accounts payable, taxes, employee benefits, compliance, permits and conducted long and short term financial planning. Provided oversight of all department heads and accountable for the planning and implementation of Timber Management Plan, Lake and Stream fish stocking program, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Management Plan Development and Natural Gas Exploration Operations. Systematically organized all hunting and fishing activities on the property and oversaw 7 lakes and 12 miles of trout stream.  Adhered to local and state regulations and directed all sub-contractors. Strategically designed, gained funding approvals, estimated cost, solicited bids and supervised all new construction/repairs. Participated in board and committee meetings, gave presentations of progress, developed long and short-range projects and projections.

Key Accomplishments & Highlights:

  • Successfully established the Turtle Lake Wildlife Foundation, a non-profit entity that aided in credibility of scientific studies and provided greater access and preferential treatment when obtaining government cost share on wildlife and habitat related projects.
  • Conceptualized and implemented a paid internship program for fresh graduates and a 100-year timber management plan which increased revenue opportunities.
  • Gained national attention for improved habitat efforts, televised necropsy activity, internship program and considered as the Michigan Model for Wildlife Management and efficiently established property lines.
  • Liaised and worked effectively with Dr. James C. Kroll to transform the club which is rated as the second best in Northern Michigan which has been proved by the increase in average buck score by 40 B&C inches and recruitment rates from a low of 15 % to a high of 87%.
  • Strategically utilized proficient management and operational practices which has shown a significant increase in reserve cash position of over $9M.
  • Innovatively designed and conducted a Black Bear Density study in conjunction with Stephen F. Austin University and successfully located, trapped, tagged and collected data of over 140 individual bears over 2 years.

Dr. Deer Inc., City · State 2007 - Present
A consulting enterprise working with both private and public entities management to improve whitetail deer, habitat and exotic species.

Director of Operations 
Served in a consulting and mediating position and as a go-to person between the client and Dr. Kroll.  Collected, analyzed and interpreted data in order to create and implement a management plan that is scientifically supported by site-specific data.


Key Accomplishments & Highlights:

  • Facilitated the supervision of field biologists and the coordination of clients.
  • Orchestrated the scheduling of hunts, acted as a guide and organized camera personnel in order to successfully film segments on two televisions shows, North American Whitetail TV and Dr. Deer presented by Winchester.

Name of the Company, City · State   1994 - 1997
Director of Operations
Led operations and thrived to grow the company while maintaining a positive cash flow. Reengineered the company from 35 employees and 1 small office to 145 employees with offices in 3 states.

Name of the Company, City · State 1985 - 1994
Owner 
Championed the operation and management of a commercial breeding hen in conjunction with a Grade A Dairy.

Name of the Company, City · State 1974 - 1985
Vice President
Instrumental in the management of operations for the maintenance of about 250,000 miles of rural water lines per contract which included new installation and all repairs and also developed housing additions.

City Police & Sheriff’s Department, City · State 1974 - 1985
Patrolman & Field Deputy
Served in the City Police Department and in the Sheriff’s Department.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

QDMA Deer Manger of the Year, Recipient of the Al Brothers Award - 2009

Runner Up, Remington Mentor of the Year Award, 2010

Recognized by the Institute for White-tail Deer Management and Research

Numerous Citations of Appreciation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, US Wildlife Services, United States Forestry Service, United States Department of Agriculture and Michigan Department of Agriculture

EDUCATION CREDENTIALS

Certifications

Certified Welder First Responder Certified CPR çDefibrillator Trauma

Certified Officers Confrontation Institute to Instruct

Training and Development

Rape Awareness & Deterrence Children’s Abduction Awareness & Identification Unarmed Self Defense Use of Force Firearms Concealed Weapons SWAT Handgun Retention Kubaton

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, Tuberculosis Advisory Committee - USDA Northern Michigan
Member, Deer Advisory Committee - Michigan Department of Natural Resources Deer
Member, Bear Advisory Committee - Michigan Department of Natural Resources Member
Wildlife Consultant, Dr. Deer Inc.
Participant, NRCS, USFS, Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, Michigan DEQ
Member, NRA & QDMA
Life Member, North American Hunting Club