Al Hammond is another one of our ORA members who serves nationally on the NRA Board of Directors. His home is in Alachua, Florida, but as you see, our NRA leadership oftentimes supports multiple state associations with membership and collaboration. Al is running again for the NRA Board in the February election.
In his home state, Al has testified over the past 30 years in Florida legislative committees and Florida Wildlife Commission members over issues regarding hunting, hunter access, shooting ranges, and youth programs. His championship of Second Amendment rights for hunters, farmers, and private land owners is something we appreciate in Oklahoma with our own hunting, farm, and private lands.
Q1: Where do you go to shoot?
I shoot either on my personal property at home or a local public shooting range. I worked many years as an NRA employee with numerous state and Federal wildlife agency’s to develop and enhancing public shooting ranges for all to utilize and enjoy.
Q2: What has been your local involvement through the years?
As a 28 year plus employee and former NRA Field Representative, Regional Director and ultimately the Director of Field Staff I was primarily tasked with raising money for the NRA Foundation through the Friends of NRA program. I also have worked in the other areas of NRA such as legislative issues, NRA programs and public speaking promoting the NRA and all we do.
Q3: What excites you about serving on the NRA board, is there a specific passion?
Protecting the Second Amendment, our Country and our Constitution are the driving force for me wanting to continue to serve the NRA members. I want not only my children and grandchildren to have the same opportunities that I had but all our citizens. My entire family is Life Members and when each of my four grandchildren were born I purchased them an NRA Life Membership as well as a Florida lifetime hunting and fishing license. NRA was never a job for me it was a lifestyle and commitment to serve.
Q4: What do you feel is a valuable component of leadership and how do you strive towards that?
You lead by example. When working with NRA staff, NRA members or even non-members sometimes listening instead of talking helps you make better decisions. Honesty, respect, integrity, and transparency are imperative. A strong leader is only as good as the people around them. I always strive to keep that in mind and always try to make the best decisions utilizing input from them.
