One of the main reasons that I nominated Bill Lewis of Omaha, Nebraska, for the 2016 Mossy Oak ProStaffer of the Year award is because he attends, speaks and represents Mossy Oak at many more events than we ask our Mossy Oak pros to attend. Bill is not someone who tries to do the least amount of work that he can to stay on the ProStaff. Bill goes above and beyond what’s expected of a Mossy Oak ProStaffer. Bill is also a very successful 3D and target archer, and he represents Mossy Oak at all the shoots he attends.
Omaha, Nebraska, has a Bass Pro Shops and a Cabela’s, and Bill attends and teaches at many of their events. One of the two areas that we encourage our Pro Staff members to be involved with is the community and the youth. Bill is very active in his local archery club teaching youth to shoot archery and coaching newcomers in the sport of bowhunting. Bill is also a mentor for young people, as he puts up tree stands, teaches youngsters how to hunt and takes them on hunts with him. Bill represents all aspects of what a pro staffer is supposed to do and even more. I think the best way that I can show why I felt Bill should be considered for the Mossy Oak Pro Staffer of the Year title can be summed-up in the letter of recommendation I sent to the committee to choose the 2016 Pro Staffer of the Year.
D. J.’s Letter:
“I am pleased to choose Bill Lewis from Omaha Nebraska, as my Pro Staffer of the Year and nominate him for the National Mossy Oak Pro Staffer of the Year. Bill has been the number-one performer on my team, since I took over in 2012. He is very active in all things outdoors and represents the outdoor lifestyle that is Mossy Oak.
“Bill is a passionate competitive archer. Here is a list of his accomplishments for 2016:
- 1st ISAA IA Pro-Am
- NFAA Vegas Shoot (top 20)
- ASA AL (top 20)
- ASA TX (top 10)
- 1st ASA GA
- 1st ASA KY
- 3rd ASA IL
- 1st SOY ASA Classic
- 1st NFAA Dakota Classic
- (5) 1st Nebraska State Archery Association Championships and 1st Overall Senior BHFS
- 1st Nebraska ASA Federation Championship
- (3) 1st Cornhusker State Games Championships
- 1st Nebraska SOY Senior BHFS Known.
“When Bill isn’t competing, he usually can be found at Golden Arrow Archery Club or Ahamo Archery Club instructing others. He is also very active with mentoring. In 2016, he spent 7 days preparing for mentored hunts (sighting-in, hanging tree stands, etc.) and took mentees to the field on 29 occasions.
“Bill is also one of my top Pro Staff at supporting retail events. In 2016, he logged 15 days working retail/promotional events:
- KY-ATA Trade show
- Iowa Deer Classic
- Cabelas SGOD
- ASA Qualifier – Leupold Promotion
- Cabela’s Archery Classic
- Scheels Federal Hunting Expo.
“Bill is also an active member of the following organizations:
- Golden Arrow Archery Club (President)
- Ahamo Archery Club (President)
- National Field Archery Association (NSAA State Board Member)
- National Archery Association (Community Coach)
- Archery Shooters Association (State Director)
- International Bowhunting Organization (State Representative)
- Scholastic 3D Association (State Director and Coach)
- Nebraska Game and Parks Bowhunter Education
- National Archery in the Schools Program and Treestand Safety instructor
- NRA Life Member.
“Just for the year 2016, Bill logged 35 events and 66 events days on Camphouse. He is very active promoting archery, the outdoors and Mossy Oak on Facebook, Twitter and Mossy Oak websites. When I asked him what his plans were for 2017, he replied that if he could find time he would like to shoot more “Senior Pro” competitions. Bill’s passion for archery, both competing and instructing, his community involvement and support at retail/promotional events has made him a valuable part of the Mossy Oak team. If there is an event that we need help with in the Omaha area, Bill is the first person that I contact. I feel that he is exactly the kind of Pro Staffer we look for to represent the Mossy Oak lifestyle.
“Please consider Bill Lewis as my nominee for Mossy Oak Pro Staffer of the Year.”
Sincerely,
D.J. Randolph of Velva, ND
Big Game Regional Manager (ND, SD, MT, WY, NE, AK)
Tomorrow: Straight from the Horse’s Mouth with Mossy Oak Pro Staffer of the Year Bill Lewis
