The American Birding Association is excited to announce the appointment of Jeff Bouton to the organization’s Board of Directors.
Bouton brings decades of experience as a birder and in the birding optics industry, currently serving as the Sales and Marketing Manager for Kowa Sporting Optics. Bouton has served as a representative for several leading optics companies and worked closely with birders, retailers, festivals, and conservation organizations throughout North America, gaining a depth of experience that will help the ABA. His longstanding involvement in the birding community has given him a broad perspective on birding around the world, advances in optics technology, and the growing popularity of birding.
“I’m excited that Jeff is joining the ABA Board,” says Executive Director Wayne Klockner. “His deep knowledge of birds, birding, and the birding industry are invaluable, and he’s fun to spend time with as well.”
Bouton’s experience working directly with manufacturers and birders provides key insights as the ABA continues expanding its programs, membership, events, publications, and digital outreach. Additionally, Bouton has long been a supporter of the ABA’s programs.
“It’s a great honor to be asked to assist the ABA,” said Bouton. “In my decades as a birder, I’ve enjoyed and benefitted greatly from the ABA and the greater birding community. While I’ve learned much about birds from years of personal observations in the field, I’ve learned even more from publications like Birding magazine, generous mentors, and the shared wisdom from this giving community, and I am pleased to pay it forward. Building an even larger, kinder, more accessible ABA community will be a joy and let’s face it: Birding has never been bigger!”
The ABA Board of Directors guides the organization’s strategic direction and supports its mission to make birding better by providing knowledge, sharing experiences, and building community.
