The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is pleased to announce that Mike Edwards of Springwater, New York, has joined the organization as the Regional Director for Region 1.
Edwards will support QDMA Branches and volunteers while promoting the formation of new Branches in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Edwards moves into the Regional Director position with QDMA having previously served the organization as a volunteer while maintaining the roles of president of both the New York State Advisory Council and the Greater Rochester Southern Tier (GRST) Branch.
In 2012, Edwards chartered the GRST Branch, and at the 2013 QDMA National Convention, it was named QDMA's New Branch of the Year for demonstrating balance with its program delivery, providing both quality fundraising events and educational programs, and impacting its community by raising organizational awareness, membership and financial support. Just a year later, Edwards was again recognized as the 2014 QDMA Branch President of the Year for exhibiting leadership and the daily vision, dedication and attitude it demands to be a successful Branch president.
Through his roles with both the New York State Advisory Council and GRST Branch, Edwards has championed many great initiatives that include securing more than 500 QDMA memberships or renewals, annually awarding a $1,000 scholarship, a Branch youth hunt program, a wounded Veteran hunting/fishing program, hosting the Northeast Regional Leadership Summit and holding multiple field days and educational lectures. Additionally, Edwards and QDMA volunteers are currently working to strengthen New York poaching laws.
Additionally, Edwards is a Deer Steward Level II graduate and QDMA Life Member. He is also a member of the National Deer Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation. Edwards also co-authored the article "Apple Addiction" with George Clifford, which appeared in the February/March 2014 issue of Quality Whitetails.
Prior to QDMA, Edwards worked in the medical field since 1994, and he holds licensed certification as a Registered Professional Nurse as well as Certified Nurse Operation Room AORN Periop certification and American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification. Edwards earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing with distinction from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, in 1999. Edwards has also volunteered as a firefighter with the Springwater Fire Department.
Edwards and his wife Katie have three children, a son, Kevin, and two daughters, Violet and Emily.
