Jason Tharpe named new CEO of Delta Waterfowl

Bismarck, N.D. — Delta Waterfowl’s board of directors and Dr. Scott Petrie reached a mutual agreement to separate Feb. 19, ending Petrie’s nearly decade-long tenure as chief executive officer of Delta.

Petrie, a Ph.D waterfowl biologist who started his career as a Delta Waterfowl undergraduate technician at the Delta Marsh in the 1986 and 1987, returned to Delta as CEO in September 2015.

“Returning to and leading Delta Waterfowl has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” Petrie said. “I am immensely proud of all that we have accomplished together for ducks and duck hunters, and am deeply appreciative of the dedication, talent, and commitment of this team over the past 10 years.”

An Ontario native, Petrie led Delta Waterfowl through a period of growth and program expansion, despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Petrie invigorated the organization’s Research and Education program and oversaw gains in Delta’s Duck Production programs and hunter advocacy efforts in both the United States and Canada.

“On behalf of Delta’s board, I’d like to thank Scott for all he’s done to advance Delta as a leading waterfowl conservation organization in North America,” said George Freeman, Delta’s chairman of the board. “Delta Waterfowl has grown substantially under his leadership. Now, we’re excited to move forward as we aim to enhance the organization’s impact to produce ducks and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting.”

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Jason Tharpe has been named CEO. Tharpe has been with Delta Waterfowl for 22 years, most recently serving the role of chief development officer. Tharpe has led Delta’s major gifts and events fundraising department to achieve record growth.

Tharpe has played an instrumental role in Delta’s Million Duck Campaign, a $250 million initiative that promises to perpetually produce 1 million ducks annually by scaling up Delta’s key Duck Production programs.

“I appreciate the board’s confidence to lead Delta,” Tharpe said. “I’m deeply committed to building on Delta’s successes across all our programs. Our vision is to put more ducks into every fall flight and to ensure a strong future for duck hunting.”

Delta Waterfowl, a leading conservation group for more than 100 years, works across four foundational pillars: duck production, habitat conservation, research and education, and HunteR3.

Key programs include Predator Management, Hen Houses, Working Wetlands, Shallow Wetland Incentive Program, University Hunting Program, First Hunt, and Delta’s innovative research.

“Everything Delta does is for the benefit of waterfowl and waterfowl hunters,” Tharpe said. “Everyone at Delta – our board, staff, donors, volunteers, and members – is striving to produce more ducks and maximize hunting opportunity. We’re going to work harder than ever to reach our goals.”

— Delta Waterfowl report