Houston's Heidi Rao Wins National Award From International Hunter Education Association

(Houston, TX, June 2007) � During the annual meeting of the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA), Heidi Rao of Houston was named �Professional of the Year� for providing outstanding service to IHEA and its mission. The award was underwritten by Child Guard, LLC.

A Hunter Education Training Specialist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 1998, Rao trains the general public to comply with the mandatory hunter education program in Southeast Texas (Houston based). She also trains adults in hunter education program, policies, and procedures and the general public in hunting safety and legal practices.



�With over 70,000 hunter education instructors supporting IHEA�s programs, it�s agency professionals like Heidi Rao that have helped us maintain the highest standards in safety and responsible hunting practices,� said Gary Berlin, Executive Director of IHEA. �Heidi is a national role model for our instructors,� added Berlin.

Berlin credits her with helping to upgrade the skills of other training instructors in learning/teaching principles and practices, recruitment and marketing techniques, and general communications. She plays an active role in conducting hunter education training workshops and courses in her area, as well as coordinating local activities (meetings, events, exhibits, promotions, media events, active shooting range projects).

Rao holds an M.S. Degree in the Department of Forestry from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a B.S. Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale�s Department of Zoology, with a major in Wildlife Management.

She also served as a Natural Resource Park Ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Heidi and her husband John live in Houston, Texas with their three boys, Dominic (5 years), Matthew (3 years), and John (10 months). The entire family enjoys wildlife, fishing and the exploring the great outdoors.