Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

November 19, 2011

The leader of SAM: Meet the man and his mission

David Trahan not only will stabilize the executive position in the influential group but also will go forward in emphasizing the outdoors as a family activity.

By Deirdre Fleming dfleming@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA - For 18 years one man became the face of Maine's biggest sportsmen's organizations. And that face was ever-present in the State House. Now the face of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, if new executive director David Trahan has his way, will be of children outside ice shacks, hunting in the woods and casting at youth-only ponds.

After what many have considered a turbulent year, SAM landed six weeks ago squarely in the hands of the longtime Waldoboro senator. And Trahan says he already has worked tirelessly fundraising, networking and reaching out to other sportsmen's clubs. And he said that will continue long after he resigns from the Senate in December.

Moreover, Trahan, who served in the State House for 11 years, says taking the helm of SAM is not a political move but a personal mission.

"To be able to assist families or children getting outside is pretty rewarding for me personally. I'd like to finish my career doing that every year," said Trahan, 48.

Meanwhile, George Smith, who retired a year ago as SAM's longtime leader -- before two more executive directors served only months -- believes Trahan puts an end to the revolving director's door.

"There has been a lot of turmoil and it's taken longer than it should have for them to get someone long term, but they finally got there," Smith said. "David will refocus on youth and it's going to reflect David's personal interest, and he will do well as long as the members support him. And I think they will. Change comes hard for people but I think he's going in the right direction."

As the fiery, hard-fighting SAM lobbyist for 18 years, Smith made enemies, grew allies and got stuff done. He was instrumental in getting fish and game bills passed, and presenting recommendations to the Legislature that became laws.

"Not many people come to the State House and go to the (Inland Fisheries and Wildlife committee) room on a regular day. SAM is a constant presence there. They're very engaged in the process," said Jen Burns Gray, the staff lawyer for Maine Audubon.

Gray called Trahan an exciting choice at a challenging time.

Trahan wants to provide more avenues for Maine's youth to enjoy the outdoors.

Specifically he already plans to work with the state on a family-friendly website that leads families to kid-friendly outdoor activities; to create a coalition of outdoor youth volunteers; and to raise money to fund a large-scale effort aimed at bringing the deer herd back. He wants to provide outdoor access to people with disabilities, draw more women into traditional outdoor sports and create partnerships between more outdoor organizations.

And Trahan said by getting more families outside, he will grow SAM's membership. The board of directors at the 36-year-old, 12,000-member alliance liked that.

"I have a friend who belongs to an (outdoor) organization, Rippleffect. He told me one time if you can't get someone on the water at 16, the odds of them actually going out in that type of activity is a lot less likely to happen. I think David has an excellent point about getting youth involved," said Jim Gorman, president of the SAM board and a grandson of L.L. Bean.

"I don't see as many young people hunting and fishing as I recall when I was growing up."

As president of the Lincoln County Fish and Game Club, Trahan has brought families without outdoor experience to Maine's woods and waters. And membership at the Waldoboro club jumped from nearly nothing to more than 80 in his nine years working with the club.

(Continued on page 2)

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