The Capital Region Chapter has added three new board members to its ranks. Thanks to each of them for their service to BHA and to our shared mission.

To see the complete Capital Region Roster, Click Here

Garrett Robinson, Vice Chair

Born and raised in southern York County, Pennsylvania, I participated in hunting in fishing throughout the state with my family on both public and private land. To this day the memories of growing up in a family where everyone hunted are some of the best memories I have. After graduating High School, I joined the Marine Corps where I served for 26 years, retiring in 2023 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant. I have one child, a daughter, who is in High School and want to for once give her some stability by not moving. We enjoy the region and I have been fortunate to take advantage of the many opportunities to hunt and fish. Whether it being back in my home state of Pennsylvania or traveling to neighboring states I have been able to enjoy some great adventures over the last few years.

Like myself, many who are uprooted from their homes, find themselves unable to navigate the hunting and fishing world they now find themselves in. I wish I knew a fraction of what I know now when I was a young Marine. This is what drives the passion I have now for helping others access the opportunities that are there for all of us to enjoy. Understanding the opportunities that are available is nothing more than finding access. All of this is what brought me to Backcountry Hunters & Anglers in 2018 and later the Armed Forces Initiative in 2020. The BHA community has been one of the biggest influences on me over the last several years as I grow not only as a hunter and angler, but as a conservationist. 

Trevor Lawson, Secretary

Trevor Lawson is a Southwest Virginia native with a love of the steep and thick ridges that stretch across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Passion for wild places and foods fruited from a childhood chasing deer, turkeys, and float fishing the river for smallmouth bass. This passion guided a degree in Water Resources, Policy, and Management from Virginia Tech to work directly with policy and natural resources management professionally.

Experiences working with the U.S. Forest Service conducting fieldwork mapping stream and wetlands, provided ample miles of hiking George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The experience clarified the value of public lands, and led to becoming more involved with BHA. While not running ridges for gobbling turkeys or playing thermals for a mature buck; Trevor is a photographer and Professional Outdoor Media Association member who specializes in capturing the night sky. Traveling to remote dark sky locations across the Mid-Atlantic to photograph the Milky Way.

Trevor aims to facilitate relationship building with members, policy makers, and others to protect and expand what we all love. Public lands in public hands! 

Anthony Bensken

Originally from Central Illinois, I grew up with a Forest Preserve Lake 2 miles away. The memories of fishing at the bottom of the spillway with a cane rod imprinted on my soul. My career keeps me moving into different regions. One stop in Abilene, Texas, made me realize why organizations like BHA are so important. It was a 2-hr drive to try to hunt deer and turkey under the shade of Mesquite Tree. I could fish more in Texas than I could hunt, so I joined the TPWD as a Volunteer Angler Education Instructor.

I joined the Capital Region in 2020 when I moved to VA, yet I still hunt public land in Arkansas yearly with the family. Since moving here, I have traveled all over the Capital Region hunting and fishing. Now my travels have led me to Maryland, where I am yet again seeing BHA's work and the vast public places to hunt and fish, even when this area gets a bit too crowded. When I'm on a bad streak, I hike with my Tenkara rod into my spot and hit my bluegill honey hole, so maybe I'll see you around! After the success of Muster in the Mountains 2022, I am excited to see what we can do with the momentum of such an incredible event.