Tennessee Wildlife Federation Adds Joe McCord to Policy Team

Tennessee Wildlife Federation, an independent nonprofit that is one of the largest and oldest dedicated to the conservation of Tennessee’s wildlife and natural resources, is enhancing its Conservation Policy program with the addition of Joe McCord.

Joe most recently served as chief clerk for Tennessee House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017. In collaboration with the Federation, he will provide significant state legislative support to the Federation’s Conservation Policy program, which has been a staple of the organization’s operations for more than 70 years.

“From its inception, Tennessee Wildlife Federation has focused on informing lawmakers and advocating for legislation to ensure Tennesseans present and future have access to the state’s many natural resources—whether that’s for hunting, fishing or recreation,” said Michael Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation. “Joe will increase the reach and the effectiveness of our public policy work, making the Federation an even stronger backer of outdoor-loving Tennesseans.”

The Federation acts on a number of issues impacting the preservation and sustainable use of Tennessee’s wildlife and the land, water and air upon which it relies. Its science-based approach to policy has been applied to recent issues such as funding for wildlife conservation, floating homes on public waterways and combating chronic wasting disease in deer.

Before his appointment as chief clerk, Joe served from 1998 to 2010 as representative for House District 8 in East Tennessee. During that time, he held numerous leadership positions such as eight years on the Commerce Committee and four years on the Education Committee. Most notably, during all 12 years of his service as representative, Joe worked on the Conservation and Environment Committee (now the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee), including four years chairing a subcommittee and two years as the full committee chair. He also served as co-chair of the Tennessee Legislators Sportsmen Caucus.

Joe carried many pieces of notable legislation, including the Brownfield Redevelopment Act that removed liability obstacles that prevented the rehabilitation and redevelopment of brownfields statewide.

He is a graduate of University of Tennessee, enjoys fox and bird hunting as well as fly fishing.