I own and operate a full time taxidermy studio in Franklin, North Carolina.  I have been a full time taxidermist for over 12 years, although I have been doing taxidermy for more than 26 years and have a great love of the outdoors.

I am a past president and past board member of the NTA and have served as president of the South Carolina Association of Taxidermists where I resided before relocating to North Carolina.  I am an NTA certified judge and have judged and given seminars at numerous state conventions. 

While serving the NTA I chaired and coordinated seminars several different NTA conventions including Huntsville, Billings (1999) and Lubbock. At present I also the chairman of the NTA Certification program. 

Archie Phillips owns and operates the largest freshwater taxidermy studio in the U.S.  He has built a reputation as a creative innovator.  Archie is recognized as an early pioneer in the Hollow-Mount method, which revolutionized fish mounting in America.  He developed the famous Jiffy Quick System, which standardized mounting procedures.  He was one of the first to realize the full potential of Fiberglas as a reproduction material with his pioneering work with fish blanks.  Archie gives seminars all over the U.S. on techniques, technologies, and business aspects of taxidermy.  He has taught thousands of people taxidermy procedures and he is always willing to give a helping hand to the newcomer.  He has served on the Advisory Board for Piedmont Mini-Course as well as judging there and at numerous other state and national competitions.

Archie is a Life Member of the NTA and has served as NTA president for 2 terms, as NTA vice-president, and as a board member.  With his long and dedicated service, he has helped organize state affiliate chapters of the NTA and is also a former chairman of the National Taxidermists Hall of Fame.  Archie is the author of a series of books, which cover the entire spectrum of taxidermy specialties.  He produces a syndicated television show, "Outdoors with Archie Phillips," which is broadcast in over 10 markets.  He is a passionate advocate for conservation and preservation of natural resources.  He was awarded the Governor's Conservation Award and the Environmental Reclamation Service Award in the state of Alabama. 

Archie is a strong supporter of our Second Amendment Rights.  He has been involved in many broadcast debates on our right to bear arms and our right to hunt and fish.  He helped pass the Amendment to the Alabama Constitution that guarantees the public's right to fish and hunt.  Most recently Archie won a victory for hunters when he won in the Alabama Supreme Court in a unanimous 8-0 ruling stating that baiting in Alabama can not be a strict liability case and that before charged, the hunter must have known, or should have known that the area where he hunted was illegally baited.  This ruling closely follows a Bill passed by the U.S. Congress last fall and signed into law by the President that removes strict liability from the Federal laws regarding the baiting of migratory birds such as doves and ducks.  You can count on Archie protecting the NTA Wildlife Conservation Fund and it not being wasted on meeting with animal rights groups that are out to destroy us.

Archie is a graduate of Auburn University with a B.A. degree in Natural Sciences.  He is married to Sharon and together has 3 children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.   Archie's studio, Production Company, and various other enterprises are all family operated businesses.   He credits much of his success to the support and help of his wife, Sharon; his sons Bubba and David; and his late daughter-in-law, Karen.

You might recall seeing me working at the registration booth upon your arrival at the national convention for the past 10 years or so.  I enjoy seeing the faces of NTA members and their families, both familiar and new, and take great pride in assisting you with your registration needs and answering any questions you may have.  The opportunity to further serve the NTA as secretary will become one of the foremost challenges of my career.  With our three grown daughters out of the nest and no grandchildren yet, I look forward to working in an organization with so many people I have come to know and respect.  My sincere hope is to offer the NTA the very best of my ability as both life member and secretary.  Now when my husband John gets a little out of line, he’ll have to answer to me!  I ask for your prayers and support during these exciting times for the NTA and myself. 

Holding a position in a national organization is an incredible honor, particularly when that organization is the National Taxidermists Association.  Being married to a taxidermist will prove to anyone that we taxidermy brides certainly do not marry for money.  The need for that second income has led me to an exciting career as a legal secretary at one of New Jersey’s leading and prominent law firms.  On a daily basis I work with real estate developers, contractors and attorneys.  I have been a licensed New Jersey notary public for almost 20 years.  Having been in this field for 30 years, my qualifications for secretary are well established. 

I became involved in taxidermy in 1997, and am a full time taxidermist.  I own and operate a wholesale service specializing in wild turkeys.  I do work from all over the United States and mount over 150, turkeys yearly. 

I am past president of the Mississippi State Taxidermy Association and have been active with the Southern Regional Taxidermy Convention & Competition.  I have done my best to promote the art of taxidermy.  Taxidermy is my life.  I travel often providing instructional seminars on mounting turkeys and have had numerous compliments on my seminars.  I receive calls daily from young taxidermists asking about taxidermy as a profession and I share all of my knowledge with them.

I want to support an association that is fighting for our profession and rights to hunt and fish and perform taxidermy.  I will do whatever I can to help the NTA battle for that.  In 2002, while president of my state association, we chose to become an NTA affiliate because we believe in the National Taxidermists Association.  I still believe in the National Taxidermists Association and hope you will join me in supporting this association.

I am proud to remain on the board to see some of the progress we made. We are implementing some incredible programs that will really help to build and increase the strength of the NTA. Knowing what went into the foundation, and what it takes for building materials to construct these programs, I feel some consistency is in order. 

I have worked hard to serve our members in a professional manner and I will continue to stand up for what I think is best for the NTA. I have been performing the art of taxidermy full time since 1986. I plan on working in this profession until the day I die. I became involved with the NTA because I believe there needs to be one strong voice that speaks for us all.

I am proud and honored to be an NTA Board Member. I have been married to my wife, Linda, for 37 years and we have three grown children. I received my Bachelors and Masters Degrees from N.M. State University and taught agriculture education and wildlife science in New Mexico, for 32 ½ years. 

I have been a taxidermist for 21 years and consider Mr. Roy Cogburn as my mentor. I am a full-time, NTA Certified, Master Taxidermist.  I own and operate Edwards Taxidermy, near Hurley, N.M.  I am a Lifetime NTA member and serve as President of the N.M. Taxidermy Association.  I have served as state convention chairman for two years, including Western Regionals, and have lined up many excellent seminars for those conventions.  I have also presented seminars for shows and schools, and I have now started giving personal seminars at my studio. 

I enjoy taxidermy very much and have a strong desire to serve the organization that has given me so much.  I am honest and fair and do not have an “agenda.”  I will work hard to serve our members in a professional manner and I will stand up for what I think is best for the NTA. 

My name is Richard Noles and it is with great honor that I serve as an NTA board of director.  I am married to Betty Noles and this year have celebrated 43 years together on May 2nd.  We have been blessed with 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law and 2 beautiful granddaughters.  I am an active member of The First Baptist Church in Douglasville, Georgia.  The Lord has blessed my business and I have never been without work.  I mount all North American wildlife and restore old mounts.

I am the owner of LIFELIKE TAXIDERMY in Douglasville, GA. I have always been interested in taxidermy.  I have been in taxidermy for 18 years; the last 9 have been full time.  I will continue to do all I can for the best of taxidermy and for taxidermists.  I have been certified by the NTA since 1996.  I am also a Lifetime Member of the NTA.  I am certified and a member of the GTA and SCAT. 

I appreciate all members of the NTA and the information they are willing to share to enhance the talents that God has blessed me with.  It is a joy to attend the convention each year and see my extended family.  I enjoy being a part of the NTA and have had the opportunity to serve as a seminar instructor, sharing my knowledge of "Pressure Washing, Fleshing and Cleaning."   I will continue to give 100% of myself to help the NTA.
 

Al, along with his wife, Evelyn own and operate Al Holmes Taxidermy Studio, Supply Co., and Wildlife Museum in Wetumpka, Alabama.  Al has been a member of the NTA beginning with the establishment of the organization in the early 1970’s.  He has judged and given seminars at state, regional and national conventions.  Al was a judge at the first NTA competition in Denver, Colorado.  He wrote the first set of competition rules and scorecards.  Al was also the NTA competition chairman for 6 years. 

Al is a past president of the NTA and has served as a board member for several years.  He was convention chairman for one of the largest NTA conventions, which was held in Montgomery, Alabama.

As president of the NTA, Al opened the board meeting to all NTA members.  He established the NTA auction and has raised more funds for the association than anyone.  Al was the founder of the Alabama Taxidermists Association and helped start several other state associations, including the Southern and Eastern Regional conventions.  Al is a member of SCI and 3 SCI state chapters.  He is currently on the board of directors of the Georgia Chapter of SCI. 

Al is the originator of the NTA Award of Excellence.   He is the recipient of the NTA Pioneer Award for his services to the NTA. He has never refused to help anyone in taxidermy and has never taken money for his services of auctioneer, seminar instructor or as a judge. 
 

I own and operate Kaiser's Taxidermy in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  My wife, Jennifer, and I have been married for 17 years, and we have a nine-year old son, Carter.  I am an active member of Highland Drive Baptist Church, where I sing in a gospel quartet called "The Highlanders."

I started doing taxidermy full time and opened my shop about nine years ago.  I am the sole proprietor of my shop and do all aspects of taxidermy work.  I specialize in waterfowl.  My two big passions are fish and waterfowl.  I have served as an NTA seminar instructor.  I am currently an NTA certified judge and have had the privilege and honor to serve as a judge for many state and regional conventions.

I have served as president of my state association for 4 years.  Prior to serving as president, I was vice-president for two years, as well as serving as supply chairman.  As state president, I have had the opportunity to attend the board meetings at the past three NTA conventions and am familiar with the rules and procedures of the NTA Board.  I feel that I can offer very grounded and honest opinions and ideas for the NTA and the NTA membership.  I would love to work with other state associations who may not be affiliated with the NTA and help them form a good relationship with the NTA.  I will strive to serve each and every member with humility, professionalism and common sense. 
 

My wife Lori and I have been married for 19 years and have 2 daughters, Stacie 16 and Victoria 12.   We have a family Lifetime Membership with the NTA.   For us, the NTA and convention is a family event, not just something that Dad does.  We first attended the NTA convention in 1998, in Huntsville, Alabama and we have attended every show since.   Over the last several years, my family has also assisted with seminars, and volunteered in areas where help was needed.

As a board member, I want to keep the family atmosphere and integrity of the organization that we fell in love with, and to continue building on it.  The NTA has been very good to my family.  We have met a lot of great friends and been to a lot of great places because of the NTA.  I want to protect what attracted us, and to provide other families the same great memories and opportunities that we have had over the past 10 years.