July 10, 2007

For more information contact:
Kevin Rhoades, krhoades@owaa.org
406-728-7434 or 800-692-2477
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Rich Patterson Elected President of Outdoor Writers Association of America

Missoula, Mont. – At its 80th annual conference, Outdoor Writers Association of America elected Rich Patterson as president of the association for 2007-08. Patterson will serve one year as president of OWAA.

Patterson is the director of the Indian Creek Nature Center in Iowa and manages 300 acres of wilderness, introducing thousands of children to outdoor activities each year through the non-profit organization. Patterson also has been freelance writing for Iowa Fish and Game magazine since 1988 and writes a bimonthly nature and outdoor column for the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Patterson comes to his officer position from a seat as 1st vice president and has been a member of OWAA for 23 years.

“Rich Patterson brings 30 years of nonprofit knowledge to OWAA, and he has a truckload of fundraising and endowment-building experience,” said OWAA Executive Director Kevin Rhoades. “It’s the right time for Rich’s type of expertise, and he’s one of our own; Rich is a freelancer and outdoors columnist, too.”

The 1,600-member Outdoor Writers Association of America is the oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. It was organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America and includes professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. OWAA’s professionals include writers, photographers, outdoors radio- and television show hosts, book authors, videographers, lecturers and artists. The association is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For more information, go to www.owaa.org.

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