The board also re-elected Chuck Bazzy of Bloomfield Hills, Bruce Eavenson of Ortonville, Susan Hughes of Muskegon, Mike Wills of Troy for terms as SCI Directors-At-Large. 

In addition, Robert Taylor of Clarkston is replacing John Gall of Leonard as SCI Region 20 Representative, while Paul Royce of Zeeland is taking the SCI Region 19 Representative seat made open by the promotion of Susan Hughes. Taylor and Royce join Merle Shepard of Allen Park, Representative for SCI Region 43, to round out the Michigan presence in the SCI leadership community.

"With Gary taking the helm, and with the strong support of Michigan's outstanding delegation, SCI is well positioned to preserve the tradition of legal hunting that's enjoyed by tens of millions of families worldwide," said George Banks, outgoing president of the nonprofit organization.  "Legal hunting plays a singular role in effective wildlife management programs the world over, and SCI's new leadership team has the hard-won experience to make great strides for future generations of hunters." 

"SCI is blessed to have tireless and talented volunteer leaders," concurred Peter J. Dart, SCI/SCIF Executive Director.  "Gary and our Michigan team leaders will help ignite progress for all sportsmen.  You can count on it."

During his term as President, which officially begins July 1, 2002, Bogner will provide leadership, policy guidance, and management direction to SCI and the SCI Foundation.  He will be subject to the authority of the eleven-person Safari Club Executive Committee he chairs, and to the Board of Directors, SCI's chief ruling body. 
As President-Elect during the past year, Bogner assisted Banks with many projects - most notably the search for and hiring of SCI's executive director, and the purchase/remodeling of SCI's new Capitol Hill office in Washington D.C.  Bogner also helped formulate annual budgets and long-term plans for both SCI and the SCI Foundation, and helped advance the image of sportsmen by co-chairing the SCI/SCIF Marketing and Public Relations Committee. 

An entrepreneur, developer, and former commercial pilot, Bogner was recently recognized in the House of Representatives by U.S. 

Congressman James Barcia (D, MI; District 5).  Barcia addressed his peers saying "Gary and I share a love of big game hunting and I have enormous respect and admiration for him as a hunter and as a leader in wildlife conservation."  Barcia's 400-word tribute to Bogner noted his bowhunting accomplishments on five continents and concluded with "Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Gary Bogner for his many contributions.  I am confident he will continue to shoot straight and true on behalf of all hunters, archers and conservationists throughout the world."

Bogner has been a member of Safari Club since the mid-eighties and a life member since 1992.  During the 2000-2001 season, he served as Treasurer for both SCI and SCI Foundation. Bogner also was a member of SCI's Long Range Planning Committee, as well as SCIF's National & International Fundraising and Finance/Investment Committees. 

Michiganders Eavenson, Hughes, Bazzy and Wills -- upon request of the Safari Club President or Executive Committee -- are empowered to assist the Regional Representatives within their geographical area. These SCI Directors-At-Large may also serve as members of any standing or ad hoc committee at the behest of the Safari Club President or Executive Committee. 

As three of 43 Regional Representatives worldwide Shepard, Taylor, and Royce will focus their energies on helping Safari Club grow its activities and membership in Michigan. Shepard also will continue his longstanding efforts to nurture SCI bowhunting programs worldwide; is serving on the SCI Marketing and Public Relations Committee with Bogner and Wills; and is chairman of the SCI-PAC political action committee. 

Over 2,600 Safari Club members comprising 13 Chapters call Michigan home. For more information on these Chapters, please contact Taylor at 248-625-2760, Royce at 616-895-7109, or Shepard at 313-660-0518. You can also visit www.showsci.org, a powerful on-line resource for sportsmen. 

Safari Club International is a nonprofit association dedicated to protecting the rights of 45 million hunters worldwide. It is a tireless advocate for outdoor enthusiasts, who, through legal hunting, annually drive more than $1 billion in funding to maintain wildlife populations, to conduct wildlife research and to enforce wildlife laws.  For more information on SCI, call 520-620-1220 or click on www.showsci.org. 

For more information on any SCI Foundation charitable program, call 877-877-3265 or click on www.safariclubfoundation.org. 
The 31st SCI Hunters' Convention will take place Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2003 in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, NV.  Sportsmen and sportswomen interested in attending the blockbuster event should call 888-SHOW-SCI (888-746-9724) toll free, or visit www.showsci.org.