GREAT FALLS, MT — The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) today announced the appointment of Duane Taylor as its executive director, effective June 1. Taylor replaces Russ Ehnes, who is retiring from that position after nearly two decades.

“I am excited about this new opportunity,” said Taylor. “I have worked extensively with NOHVCC over the past 12 years while representing the powersports industry, and I have a great deal of passion for its mission. I am prepared to build on its successes, and continue its key initiatives, while working to expand its reach, scope and effectiveness.”

Since 2005, Taylor has worked in the powersports industry as director of federal affairs for the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). His responsibilities in that position were broad in scope. They included managing federal lobbying activities for the associations; developing and communicating industry policy positions to the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and partners; researching and commenting on legislation and regulatory actions that impact the powersports industry; and, creating and facilitating relationships with public and private sector partners that serve to advance industry goals.

Prior to that position, Taylor was director of natural resource policy with the Texas Office of State/Federal Regulations, in Washington, DC. He is a life-long motorcyclist and is certified as an ATV Safety Institute (ASI) RiderCourse Instructor, and ROHVA DriverCoach. Taylor will be based in metropolitan Washington, DC.

“While Duane’s departure will leave a hard-to-fill void, we are enthusiastic about the opportunity that this new position provides to Duane and importantly that it provides to NOHVCC to expand its footprint in Washington, DC with land management agencies and other DC-based partners,” said Kathy Van Kleeck, senior vice president, government relations for MIC, ROHVA and SVIA. “The associations have shown their commitment to NOHVCC by providing major grant funding for many years and we look forward to continuing and expanding that commitment in the coming years to support NOHVCC’s critical mission to promote OHV recreation.”

Taylor takes over the position held by Russ Ehnes for nearly 20 years. Earlier this year, Ehnes announced his intent to leave his position as executive director, effective June 1. Ehnes will be shifting gears to other opportunities in off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation, including managing the Bull Run Guest Ranch, near Great Falls, Montana.

NOHVCC is a not-for-profit educational organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of OHVs, including ATVs, ROVs, dirt bikes and 4WD trucks. Using a network of State Partners, it develops and provides a wide spectrum of programs, materials and information, or “tools,” to OHV clubs, associations, agencies and individuals across the U.S. and Canada. It also works in partnership with the International Off-Highway Vehicle Administrators Association (INOHVAA), an organization of officials at all levels of government who manage OHV recreation in their areas, which holds its annual conference jointly with NOHVCC.

NOHVCC and its State Partners work hard to meet its mission to “Create a Positive Future for OHV Recreation.” For more information, visit www.nohvcc.org. To contact NOHVCC about its many “tools” and educational materials available to OHV clubs, agencies and schools, send an email to trailhead@nohvcc.org or call 800-348-6487.