Ryan Meredith hired as Managing Director of Development for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Driving philanthropy efforts for upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are excited to introduce the new managing director of development representing The Habitat Organization's mission across the nation. Ryan Meredith will be responsible for collaborating with donors, members, volunteers and partners to expand private, corporate and public funding relationships benefiting upland habitat conservation. "Ryan Meredith joins Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as Managing Director of Development, bringing extensive experience in major gift fundraising, team leadership, and strategic growth," said Jordan Martincich, PF & QF's Vice President of Development. "He has led high-performing development teams and driven significant increases in philanthropic revenue throughout his career. His passion for conservation and servant leadership will help advance the organization's mission to conserve upland birds and habitat across North America." Building a strong culture of philanthropy among Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever constituents is a top priority, which includes but is not limited to - leadership gifts and major gifts, charitable bequests, corporate philanthropy, gifts of real estate and conservation easements, endowments and grant funding. Meredith will take on responsibilities tied directly to Pheasants Forever's and Quail Forever's vision for the future of upland habitat, made possible in part by expanded philanthropic support inspired by a robust team of fundraising professionals. Meredith has most recently overseen fundraising operations for the American Heart Association and Ducks Unlimited, gaining years of experience in inspiring philanthropic giving. He also brings extensive experience in education, providing leadership at Baylor University and several high schools throughout central Texas. "I am extremely honored to step into this role with The Habitat Organization," Meredith said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to help advance one of the most impactful missions in wildlife conservation." Featured series. Stories by region.

KLEM newscast for Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. Feb 17, 2026 Plymouth County Pheasants Forever receives Advocacy Award The Plymouth County chapter of Pheasants Forever received recognition last week from the national Pheasants Forever organization, receiving the Advocacy Award for being "an exceptional partner of the organization." The honor was given to the Plymouth County chapter for prioritizing advocacy for state and federal legislation, driven by the motivation to continue protecting public lands for all. Since 2015, the chapter has given $116,000 to the national organization's Legislative Action Fund, which has made a "tremendous impact at both the state and federal levels," according to the organization. Trevor Oetken, the president of the Plymouth County chapter, told KLEM it was an honor to be recognized for the group's efforts. Audio Player Oetken says that the money raised during the chapter's annual fundraiser in March stays in the community. Audio Player The award will be formally presented to the chapter during the National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic in Minneapolis this Saturday, February 21st. The chapter's annual banquet will be held on Saturday, March 14th inside the Le Mars Convention Center. Beat the Blues Challenge continues into week six Week six of the Le Mars Public Library's Beat the Blues Challenge is taking place this week, with a focus on how food can affect your brain. According to the National Institutes of Health, studies have found links between healthy eating and improved thinking and memory. An eating pattern called the MIND diet has been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The diet encourages eating whole grains, beans, nuts, berries, leafy greens, and at least one weekly serving of fish. The library encourages challenge participants and guests to browse the library's collection of cookbooks that promote healthy eating and the MIND diet. Participants can stop in the library anytime this week for a healthy snack and a Brain Food packet, and to receive a punch on their challenge card. Those who collect 4 punches on their card by March 6th will receive a free night at the movies on March 16th at the Royal 3 Theater. For those getting a late start on the Beat the Blues Challenge, you can still work towards the free movie by participating in the Beat the Blues Scavenger hunt. To participate in the hunt, stop by the library and pick up a challenge card and find the Beat the Blues sign at participating businesses in Le Mars before March 6th. The full list of participating businesses: - Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor - Branded 360 - Habitué - Piece of Cake - Sugar-N-Spice Boutique Plymouth County Conservation holding Ice Age in Iowa Presentation Plymouth County Conservation will hold a free presentation next week at Hillview Recreation Area about Iowa during the Ice Age. This family friendly presentation by Archeologist Mark Anderson from the Sanford Museum will begin at 5:30pm on Monday, February 23rd at the Center for Outdoor Learning. The presentation will cover how ice shaped Iowa's landscape, and learning more about Iowa's Ice Age animals, habitat, and people. If interested in attending, call 712-947-4270 ahead of Monday. Donations will be taken for the Plymouth County Conservation Foundation during the event. Board of Supervisors meeting cancelled The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meeting that was scheduled for today has been cancelled. The Board will hold their next regularly scheduled meeting next Tuesday, February 24th at 9:30am inside of the Plymouth County Courthouse.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognized for best & Brightest CEO and Company to Work for in the Nation. Accolades given for displaying the highest standards of organizational leadership and culture. Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) are proud to be recognized as 2025's Best and Brightest Company to Work For(R) in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR). PF & QF's President and CEO, Marilyn Vetter, was also recognized as a Best and Brightest CEO in the nation for displaying exceptional leadership, visionary strategy, and a commitment to excellence. "Being recognized again as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For(R) is an achievement that underscores the culture we continuously work hard to build," said Sarah Mills, PF & QF's chief human resources officer. "Our people are our greatest strength, and this award reinforces our commitment to creating a workplace where they can grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to our mission. Having an outstanding leader like Marilyn just further accentuates how committed this organization is to ensuring every team member succeeds." The winning companies and CEOs were assessed by an independent research firm, which reviewed several key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. Examples of assessed categories include employee enrichment, recruitment and selection, and communication and shared vision. Only one out of ten companies are selected for this honor, to be recognized for their innovative business acuteness and human resource practices. Company leaders were scored on customer relationships, brand affinity and trust, financial achievement and growth, strategic planning and market adaptability, and people and processes. With over 25 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the NABR has identified numerous best human resource practices and provided a benchmark for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards. "This award is a testament to hard work, ingenuity, and exemplary leadership," said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of NABR in reference to the Best and Brightest CEO award. "We look for proven results, inspiring others, and financial aptitude in the scoring process. Receiving this honor is a true testament to these ideals." Best and Brightest winning companies and CEOs will be featured in Corp! Magazine's January/February 2026 edition of Corp! Magazine. Featured series.