AGFF STAFF
The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors made up of men and women from every corner of Arkansas who are passionate about supporting the mission of the AGFF — especially those aimed at introducing new people to Arkansas's outdoors.
DEAR FRIENDS OF CONSERVATION
Arkansas is a state of many landscapes, each with its own texture, color and mood. From the golden reaches of the Grand Prairie to the kelly green of the Ouachitas; from the sapphire waters of the Diamond Lakes to Mother Nature’s full palette splashed across the Ozarks, there’s never a dull moment in Arkansas’s majestic outdoors.
For the past century-plus the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has stood the post to protect and preserve the outdoors for millions to enjoy. And for 40 of those years, the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation has been right alongside, raising money and awareness to improve habitat, educate our youth and fulfill the legacy of the Arkansas outdoors for all ages.
Your contributions have helped improve access for all and restored habitat for myriad wildlife species. And with your continued support, we can dream even bigger as we work alongside the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, one of the finest conservation agencies in the country. There’s a role for everyone and plenty of room on the bandwagon for all who love the Arkansas outdoors and everything they represent to those who visit or live in The Natural State. It is my privilege to serve as the president of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation as we celebrate this milestone. Here’s to 40 more years protecting Arkansas’s natural and wild spaces.
Sincerely,
Deke Whitbeck,
President
Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation
Deke and his family have deep roots in Arkansas. Born and raised in Little Rock, Deke graduated from the University of Arkansas with a finance degree. He is an avid sportsman and has a passion for conservation and its impact on Arkansas. Deke stepped into the role of President of the Foundation in November 2016 and implemented various new programs and events across the state supporting the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Deke and his wife, Sarah, have two beautiful daughters, Cate and Charley, and love spending time with the girls exploring Arkansas’s outdoors.
Ruth-Kathryn Kelly
Director of Operations
Ruth-Kathryn Kelly, a native of West Memphis, joined the Foundation in 2016. As Director of Operations, she helps oversee the organization’s daily business activities, specializing in data management and bookkeeping. She holds a degree in public relations from the University of Alabama. Her passion is helping facilitate and assist in the mission of both the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as well as the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. She resides in Conway with her husband, Bobby M. Kelly III and her two daughters.
Tyler Lawrence
Director of Events & Programming
Tyler was born and raised in Arkansas, growing up on the banks of the Little Red River near Pangburn. He holds a business administration degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Prior
to joining AGFF, Tyler served as Regional Director for the National Wild Turkey Federation and has been involved with nonprofit conservation organizations througout his career. Tyler is a lifelong hunter and angler, passing on those passions to his two sons, Pierce and Beau. Tyler and his wife, Jennifer, live in Greenbrier.
Jibbie Tucker
Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships
If Jibbie has a choice to be inside or outside, she will always choose outside. She enjoys the beauty of the Natural State and finds an excuse to be in it as much as possible. Born and raised in Little Rock, she joined the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation in May 2022 where she leads development efforts and oversees the organization’s corporate partnerships. Jibbie has two children, Breck and Presley, and she loves sharing her appreciation of Arkansas’s gorgeous landscape with them.
Matt Baker
Special Projects Coordinator
Matt, an Arkansas native, enjoys the state’s outdoors, developing a love for hunting and fishing in Greenbrier where he spent most of his youth. Matt earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Formerly a business development officer in banking, he built connections and helped businesses grow. Now living in Conway with his fiancé Caroline, and their two dogs, Matt is excited to promote the Foundation’s message to Arkansas youth while continuing to complement the progress AGFF has made over the past 40 years.
WAYS TO GIVE
YOUR GENEROSITY IS CRITICAL
Every Arkansasan should get to enjoy the Natural State to its fullest. We work to support the conservation and education efforts of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission by raising awareness and funding. You can help in that mission through Membership, Memorials, Endowments and more.
