Keith Kiesow – President
President
1850 Bridgeview Dr. Neenah, WI 54956
I am honored and humbled to represent Region 2 on the Master National Board of Directors.
I have been an avid bird hunter since high school. I finally got tired of being the retriever and decided to invest in a real one. My first dog was less than what I wanted, but at that time never knew what their real capabilities were. In 1996 I purchased my first yellow lab, joined a retriever club and became involved in the hunt test game. I ran my first hunt test in 1997 achieving a Junior Title in 1998. I have been involved in the hunt test game ever since. Through many trials and tribulations, and with the assistance of many, I have been able to train and handle 3 of my dogs into the Master National Hall of Fame.
I currently serve as president of Islandview Retriever Club, a position I have held since 2002. I am married to my wonderful wife of 43 years Luann. She has been very patient and supportive as I spend time with the dogs, competing in hunt tests as well as judging. She helps at MNRC events as well as being an essential part of our local club events. We have two grown children and seven grandchildren.
I retired on June 1, 2018, as Fire Chief of the Fox Crossing Fire Department. I continue to serve in a support capacity on the fire department as a member for 43 years. I am now able to spend more time with the dogs, hunting and working on the honey do list. I thoroughly enjoy judging and have learned so much from many great dog handlers, professional and amateur, which has helped me be a better handler myself. I feel it is important to give back to this sport to make it better. I know first-hand the challenges that volunteer organizations have in finding people to donate their time and talents to make the organizations survive and meet their obligations.
I was fortunate to have judged Master National events in 2010 and again in 2018. The success of the hunt test game has grown exponentially. Our future will depend on the cooperation of all involved. Change is inevitable. How we manage that change is the key to success.
Keith Kiesow
