Alex Gilbert - Chair

Alex was born outside of Memphis, TN and raised in Northwest New Jersey. His earliest connection to the outdoors was through fishing where he spent countless hours fly fishing for trout in the river systems that NJ/NY/PA had to offer. Those early experiences instilled a deep appreciation for healthy waters, accessible public lands, and the responsibility that comes with enjoying them. He began hunting in college, opening the door to a broader understanding of conservation and the role hunters and anglers play in protecting habitat and wildlife. Since then, his career and personal life have taken him across the United States, where he has consistently relied on public lands to pursue deer, upland game, and various freshwater and saltwater fish species. Since relocating to South Carolina, Alex embraced new landscapes and opportunities. He has found a new passion in fly fishing for tailing redfish and has broadened his hunting experiences to include waterfowl and wild turkey, deepening his appreciation for regional traditions and the diverse challenges and opportunities faced by conservationists in the state.

Matthew Williams - Vice Chair

Matt was born in the mountains of North Carolina and raised in Charlotte. He grew up in the woods, and on the water. Whether that was bass fishing with his brother, or family camping trips, he found his happiness outside. Matt returned to his mountain roots when he attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. It was there where he found his two true loves, fly fishing and his future wife. (don’t ask him which came first). While in Boone, Matt came to understand the precious nature of wild spaces and access to them. He could take you to places that he was able to access in college that have barbed wire or no trespassing signs today.

Fast forward several years, Matt and his wife relocated their growing family to Greenville, SC. Since becoming a palmetto state resident, he has had the opportunity to hike, turkey hunt WMA land, and fish the coastal marshes. He wishes to preserve these great places, so the next generation has the same opportunities as he has had. Matt knows the only way to ensure that (in the fastest growing state in the Union) is by intentional action and support from organizations as esteemed as Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

Ross Weiss - Treasurer and AFI Liasion 

Ross was born and raised in eastern North Carolina and relocated to Beaufort, South Carolina for work this past year. He grew up hunting and fishing on North Carolina public lands. From chasing deer to hunting ducks, he values the freedom and opportunity that public lands provide.

After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard and served four years in Washington, DC. He appreciated the region for its public lands and the hunting and fishing opportunities they offered. When he left the Coast Guard, he still wanted a clear purpose, so he began volunteering with North Carolina Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and later became a lineman. BHA became a launch pad for continued service and a way to help protect the natural resources that make the outdoor life possible. He is grateful for the chance to support others and give back to the public lands that shaped him.

He is joined in this work by his wife and their two Labrador retrievers. He looks forward to supporting policy and access efforts in South Carolina and to helping the military community connect with BHA through the Armed Forces Initiative.
 

Andrew Hook

Andrew Hook is a habitat manager and wildlife biologist living in Columbia, South Carolina.  He has focused on improving wildlife habitat, particularly habitat for waterfowl on public and private lands in South Carolina for the last 14 years.  

An avid waterfowl and bird hunter, Andrew’s priority from October to January is going duck hunting with his 3 year old black lab Tsavo.  He and his wife love visiting the public lands available from Chattooga River to Jocassee Gorge and up the blue ridge parkway to hike, fish and cycle. 

Living in Columbia, South Carolina, he is excited to spend more time paddling the rivers that converge there. 

Anthony Kniffin - Event Coordinator / Membership

Anthony was born in Baltimore, MD and grew up in Richmond, VA. He grew up pond fishing and exploring the woods. Anthony has been in the U.S. Coast Guard since enlisting in 2006. He has traveled the world with work and hunted and fished all over and he is still serving on active duty. He has always appreciated the outdoors and leans heavy into conservation and stewardship. He is married to Allison and they have two children Abigail and Miles along with a Boykin Spaniel named Copper and a miniature longhaired dachshund named Jellybean. He enjoys bowhunting whitetail and duck hunting in his spare time. Living in the low country he is looking forward to growing BHA for the state and its reach nationwide with hopes in working in this industry once retired from the Coast guard.

 Brendan Sander - Communications 

Brendan lives in the greater Charleston area, where he works as a project manager for a local home restoration company. He was born and raised in a tiny farm town in Eastern Iowa, where he was constantly catching minnows, bugs, birds, and any other critter he could fit in his butterfly net to examine and play “biologist” with. He later went on to study Biology, Secondary Education, and play Football at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

With a deep passion for conservation, ecology, and all things outdoors, BHA felt like home to Brendan as soon as he discovered it. The grassroots habitat work and non species-specific aspect of the organization resonate deeply with Brendan as a an outdoorsman who will hunt or fish for anything with a legal take.

In his free time, aside from the laundry list of hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities, Brendan volunteers with SCDNR on multiple different projects and is on the volunteer council for the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network.