Protecting Our Hunting Rights

A lifelong hunter and outdoorsman, Shane Westcott owns and operates a diversified farming operation in Holdrege, Nebraska, and helps manage his family's ranch near Valentine with his wife, Lacie, and their two children, Addison and Gavin.

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Raised with a deep appreciation for hunting and fishing, Shane's passion for the outdoors spans from Nebraska's fields to North American big game and the plains of Africa. His family's roots in Safari Club International run deep—his father, Marv Westcott, helped found the original Nebraska Chapter of SCI, while his mother, Vicki, served as the chapter's education representative for more than 20 years. Today, Shane and his family are proud to carry on that legacy through the Platte River Chapter SCI.

A lifelong Nebraska resident, Nate Fox grew up in the Republican River Valley with a passion for hunting and the outdoors. While he has enjoyed pursuing everything from upland birds and waterfowl to deer and antelope across Nebraska, western big game and Alaska have become his favorite hunting pursuits.

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Nate owns and manages Fox Insurance Services, where he lives with his wife and children. He is actively involved in his community, serving on several nonprofit boards, and is a member of numerous conservation organizations, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, and Ducks Unlimited. Passionate about preserving hunting opportunities for future generations, Nate is proud to support the mission of the Platte River Chapter SCI and its commitment to conservation, education, and advocacy.

John Hoggatt is a lifelong outdoorsman, conservation advocate, and avid hunter whose passions include hunting, fishing, and AKC Retriever Trials. He currently serves as the Kearney Market President for Pinnacle Bank and brings nearly four decades of leadership experience in Nebraska's banking industry.

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A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado, John has long believed that agricultural stewardship and wildlife conservation go hand in hand. He has served as the District 4 Commissioner on the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, where he has helped advance conservation efforts and protect Nebraska's outdoor resources. John and his wife, Melissa, are proud parents and grandparents, and he remains committed to preserving Nebraska's hunting heritage for generations to come.

KJ Beam is an avid outdoorsman whose passion for hunting includes deer, antelope, elk, pheasants, waterfowl, and predators. He and his wife enjoy sharing that passion with their three children, spending much of their free time at their family cabin on the Elkhorn River or hunting in western Nebraska.

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Professionally, KJ serves as the Logistics and Facility Manager for Nebraska Irrigated Seeds in Fremont. He is also an active community leader, serving on the Arlington Youth Foundation Board, where he helps support local youth organizations, scholarships, and charitable initiatives. A firm believer in the mission of Safari Club International, KJ is committed to ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to experience the outdoors and hunting traditions that have shaped his own life.

Doug is a lifelong outdoorsman whose passion for hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation has shaped both his career and his commitment to preserving America's hunting heritage. Originally from east-central Iowa, he has called Sidney, Nebraska, home since 1981.

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After graduating from Iowa State University, Doug began a 23-year career with Cabela's, ultimately serving as Vice President of Merchandising. His career provided opportunities to hunt around the world and deepened his appreciation for wildlife conservation and ethical hunting. In 2018, he was appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts to serve as the District VII Commissioner for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, where he continues to promote Nebraska's natural resources and outdoor recreation. Doug and his wife, Laura, enjoy spending time at their cabin in the Pine Ridge and remain dedicated advocates for conservation and the protection of our hunting heritage.

Neil Davies is a passionate hunter, conservation advocate, and outdoor industry leader whose lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation has taken him around the world. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Neil moved to Nebraska in 1986, graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and proudly served as both an enlisted Marine and commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps.

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Since 2004, Neil has served as the Marketing Director for Hornady Manufacturing Company, where he helps advance one of the outdoor industry's most respected brands. A strong advocate for science-based wildlife management and sustainable-use hunting, Neil believes ethical hunting plays a vital role in conservation and supporting local communities. He is an active member of numerous conservation organizations, including Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Pheasants Forever, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Neil and his wife, Jodi, enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with their three adult children.

Pete grew up in western Nebraska, where he developed a passion for hunting and the outdoors at a young age. After graduating from Alliance, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed multiple deployments while pursuing his college education. He later graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and has since started a family and built a career in business development with BluePrint Engines, he continues to live and work in Kearney.

Throughout his life, Pete has been fortunate to have several mentors and role models who've shared a passion for hunting, conservation and volunteerism. Those relationships have provided meaningful experiences that have shaped who he is today, both personally and professionally. They've also provided the encouragement to "apply for that tag" or "book that trip", advice he continues to carry forward.

Pete is proud to be involved with Platte River Chapter of Safari Club International. He believes strongly in giving back and "paying it forward" to ensure future generations have the same, if not greater, opportunities to enjoy everything God has provided through wildlife, hunting and the great outdoors.

Tess Rousey is a Nebraska native with a lifelong passion for hunting. Starting out whitetail hunting with her father in North Platte, Nebraska, Tess’s passion grew into a career. After graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Tess worked in digital marketing at Cabela’s, Inc. In 2012, Tess put her degree to work, beginning her freelance photography business, focusing on the hunting and shooting industry. 

Today, Tess lives outside Gurley, Nebraska, with her partner, David Draper, and her yellow lab, Loch. She loves western Nebraska and the outdoor opportunities it provides, whether hunting waterfowl on the North Platte or pheasants in the wheat stubble. Throughout the year, Tess travels internationally, photographing hunts and products for several outdoor companies. And although her photography career keeps her busy during prime hunting months, Tess likes to sneak in a personal hunt now and then. 

With a passion for hunting mentorship, Tess views the Platte River SCI Chapter as necessary to ensure quality hunting opportunities for new and future hunters.