[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” custom_class=”] Tennessean (Williamson A.M. edition)
November 6, 2007
By Missy McAdams
Bob Hatcher, Conservationist
For Bob Hatcher, being named president of The Carnegians Inc. at its annual national convention was something he simply took in stride.
The modest Brentwood resident first took the Dale Carnegie course in 1965 and again in 1967, the same year he joined The Carnegians. He has been a board member for the past few years, and before being named president he served as vice president for two years.
Hatcher explained that the course teaches leadership skills, public speaking and memory training, all skills he was very glad to have while he was employed with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for 38 years. He said specifically during his time as the non-game and endangered species coordinator, a position he held from 1978 until he retired in 2001, he was called upon to give talks and work with a variety of different people where the principles and skills he learned through the course were put to the test.
While serving as coordinator, Hatcher explained that funding would best be described as limited to nonexistent. And as the coordinator during that time period, it was his responsibility to attempt to restore several rare species in Tennessee, including the bald eagle. He had to rely on volunteers and a lot of help from different organizations and individuals from across the country to share their knowledge and ideas on how best to bring these species back to the state.
“It was one of those species that used to be numerous,” Hatcher said about the Bald Eagle. “When I took over in 1978, it was on the endangered list. It was one that we wanted to restore.”
Bringing the Bald Eagles back to Tennessee wasn’t going to be easy. Hatcher said that for 22 years, from 1961 until 1983, there were no eagles nesting in the entire state. Now, Hatcher says he is happy to report that Tennessee has released more eagles into the wild than any other state.
“There have been 312 eagles released in Tennessee from 1980 until 2007,” he added. “And we now have approximately 77 successful eagle nests.”
Not one to take the credit himself, Hatcher is quick to praise and recognize all the individuals and organizations that took up the task of bringing the Bald Eagle, and other rare species, back to Tennessee. He also gives credit to those who helped create the American Eagle Foundation, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. In fact, the president of the AEF, Al Cecere, was one of Hatcher’s first volunteers.
“He came into my office in 1983 and had a background in country music. He was a shining example of a volunteer,” Hatcher added. “His first time out fundraising he raised $300,000. He has a gift.”
Hatcher, while retired from the state, still keeps himself busy with the AEF along with his new responsibilities with The Carnegians. For the AEF, he serves as a consultant and answers all the e-mails that come into the foundation along with updating information on the Web site.
While the Dale Carnegie course may have taught him to give credit where it’s due, he also should be recognized for his contributions and accomplishments.
Re-printed by permission: The Tennessean, Copyright 2007.
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