News & Updates
Keystone Elk Country Alliance Welcomes Jacob Pistner as New Conservation Education Coordinator
Keystone Elk Country Alliance Welcomes Jacob Pistner as New Conservation Education Coordinator
KEYSTONE ELK COUNTRY ALLIANCE APPOINTS BEN PORKOLAB AS PRESIDENT AND CEO
Keystone Elk Country Alliance Appoints Ben Porkolab as President and Chief Executive Officer
Ben Porkolab President & CEO of Keystone Elk Country Alliance
BENEZETTE, PA — The Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Ben Porkolab as the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Jeff Gauger, whose leadership helped maintain KECA as one of Pennsylvania’s premier conservation and wildlife education organizations.
Porkolab brings more than two decades of experience in education, conservation outreach, community engagement, and organizational leadership to the role. For the past eight years, he has served as KECA’s Conservation Education Coordinator, where he has become a trusted leader, passionate advocate, and respected ambassador for Pennsylvania’s elk herd and the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Throughout his tenure at KECA, Porkolab has developed and implemented educational programs that have connected thousands of students, families, and visitors with wildlife conservation and Pennsylvania’s natural heritage. He has coordinated fundraising events, cultivated partnerships with conservation organizations and community leaders, recruited and trained volunteers and interns, managed educational budgets, secured grant funding, and helped strengthen relationships with donors and stakeholders across the Commonwealth.
“Ben has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to KECA’s mission and has earned the respect of our Board, staff, volunteers, members, donors, and partners,” said Charles Rosamilia, Chairman of the KECA Board of Directors. “His passion for conservation, proven leadership abilities, fundraising experience, and deep understanding of our organization make him exceptionally well-prepared to lead KECA into the future.”
The Keystone Elk Country Alliance Board of Directors conducted an extensive nationwide search to identify the organization’s next leader. After reviewing a highly qualified pool of candidates from across the country, the Board selected Porkolab based on his proven leadership, commitment to conservation, fundraising experience, and deep understanding of KECA’s mission and operations. Ben Porkolab’s role as President and CEO will be begin September 1, 2026, upon Jeff Gauger’s Retirement from the position.
A lifelong outdoorsman and conservationist, Porkolab’s dedication to wildlife extends far beyond his work at KECA. He serves as a Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Education Instructor, is a member of the Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities (CCOYA) Board, has attended the Safari Club International American Wilderness School as a student and as an educator, serves on the Penn State Wildlife Technology Curriculum Advisory Committee, and has spent ten summers working as an Alaskan sportfishing guide, experiences that helped shape his commitment to conservation, education, and responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Prior to joining KECA, Porkolab spent more than 20 years as an educator, including service as an elementary school teacher in the Cameron County School District. During his career in education, he built strong community partnerships, mentored fellow educators, and developed innovative learning opportunities for students. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has been recognized for his contributions to conservation and education, including being named Pennsylvania Game Commission North Central Region Hunter Education Instructor of the Year and Bighorn Sheep Center Teacher of the Year.
As Conservation Education Coordinator, Porkolab helped expand KECA’s educational impact by developing engaging conservation programs, coordinating special events and field experiences, recruiting and mentoring interns, leading volunteer training efforts, and serving as a key representative of the organization throughout Pennsylvania. He also played an important role in planning and executing fundraising initiatives, including banquets, raffles, the Wapiti Waddle Duck Race, and the Golf Scramble, while helping identify and cultivate donor relationships that support KECA’s mission.
In his new role as President and CEO, Porkolab will provide strategic, operational, and fundraising leadership for the organization. He will oversee KECA’s conservation and education programs, visitor experience initiatives, habitat enhancement efforts, land stewardship projects, financial management, staff development, fundraising operations, membership growth, and strategic partnerships. He will also serve as the organization’s chief spokesperson and ambassador, working closely with donors, volunteers, government agencies, conservation partners, elected officials, and local communities to advance KECA’s mission.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as the next President and CEO of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance,” said Porkolab. “For the past eight years, I have had the privilege of working alongside an outstanding team, dedicated volunteers, passionate supporters, and valued partners who care deeply about Pennsylvania’s elk herd and the future of Elk Country. This organization has become an important part of my life, and I look forward to building upon a strong foundation that has been established, while continuing to grow KECA’s impact in conservation, education, habitat enhancement, and community engagement.”
Porkolab assumes leadership of an organization that welcomes more than 330,000 visitors annually to the Elk Country Visitor Center, reaches tens of thousands of students through conservation education programming, and works collaboratively with public agencies, private landowners, and conservation partners to conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s Elk Country for future generations.
The Keystone Elk Country Alliance Board of Directors extends its sincere appreciation to Jeff Gauger for his years of dedicated leadership and service. Under his guidance, KECA expanded its conservation impact, strengthened educational programming, enhanced visitor experiences, and further established the Elk Country Visitor Center as a world-class destination and gateway to the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The Keystone Elk Country Alliance is a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to conserving and enhancing Pennsylvania’s Elk Country and elk herd for future generations through conservation education, habitat enhancement, stewardship projects, and land protection. Through its programs, partnerships, and the Elk Country Visitor Center, KECA inspires hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to appreciate, understand, and support wildlife conservation.
Media Contact
Jennifer Weld
Public Relations Director
Keystone Elk Country Alliance
Jennifer@kecaus.com
(814) 771 – 7723
Keystone Elk Country Alliance Dedicates Cogan Terrace in Honor of Founding President and CEO Rawley D. Cogan
Keystone Elk Country Alliance Dedicates Cogan Terrace in Honor of Founding President and CEO Rawley D. Cogan
BENEZETTE, Pa. — The Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) honored its founding president and chief executive officer, Rawley D. Cogan, during a special dedication ceremony and the unveiling of Rawland D. Cogan Terrace at the Elk Country Visitor Center on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
The dedication recognized a lifetime of service and leadership that helped transform Pennsylvania’s elk country into one of the Commonwealth’s premier wildlife conservation and tourism destinations. Through decades of wildlife research, conservation advocacy, fundraising, and visionary leadership, Cogan played a pivotal role in restoring, protecting, and promoting Pennsylvania’s elk herd and the region it calls home.
More than 200 family members, friends, conservation leaders, wildlife professionals, and supporters gathered at the Elk Country Visitor Center to celebrate Cogan’s remarkable legacy and the lasting impact of his work on Pennsylvania’s elk country.
“Pennsylvania’s Elk Country has a sense of place,” Cogan has often said. “Once you’ve arrived, you know you’re there because there’s no other place like it on earth.”
That philosophy guided his career for more than four decades.
Cogan began his distinguished career with the Pennsylvania Game Commission in 1982. Over the next 20 years, he served in several positions, including Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer, Wildlife Technician, Wildlife Biologist, and ultimately Pennsylvania’s State Elk Biologist. His pioneering research on elk home range, habitat preferences, calf survival, aerial population surveys, and elk-human conflict mitigation helped establish the scientific foundation for modern elk management in Pennsylvania.
Following his tenure with the Game Commission, Cogan joined the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, where he served as Development Officer and Lands Program Manager from 2002 to 2009. During that time, he expanded conservation initiatives across the region while helping advance the organization’s national mission.
In 2009, Cogan established Rawley Cogan Consulting to spearhead fundraising and project management efforts for what would become the Elk Country Visitor Center. Working under contract with Pennsylvania’s Parks and Forests Foundation and in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), he helped bring the ambitious vision to life.
The Elk Country Visitor Center opened in 2010 and has since become a nationally recognized destination, welcoming more than 4.3 million visitors from 45 countries. Today, the facility attracts more than 330,000 visitors annually and serves as the cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s elk conservation, education, and tourism efforts.
As Co-Founder and Founding President and CEO of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance, Cogan led the organization in its mission to conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s elk country for future generations. Under his leadership, KECA grew into one of the Commonwealth’s most successful conservation organizations, supporting habitat enhancement, conservation education, community partnerships, and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the region.
“Rawley’s vision, determination, and unwavering commitment to Pennsylvania’s elk country have left an indelible mark on this landscape and the people who love it,” said Jeff Gauger, President and CEO of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. “The dedication of Cogan Terrace is a fitting tribute to a man whose life’s work has benefited wildlife, conservation, and countless visitors from around the world.”
During the ceremony, speakers shared personal stories and reflections on Cogan’s influence as a conservationist, mentor, and leader. Remarks were offered by Charlie Rosamilia, Jeff Gauger, Willis Sneath, Pete Duncan, Bob Bolt, Cody Cogan, Dave Spigelmyer, John Geissler, Brad Clinton, Tommy Rocco, Brandi Hanes, and Rob Hillard.
Cogan’s contributions extend beyond conservation management. He authored numerous research reports and articles published in conservation and professional journals, including work featured by The Wildlife Society and National Geographic. He narrated and co-authored the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s acclaimed video Pennsylvania Elk: Reclaiming the Alleghenies and appeared on television programs including Pennsylvania Outdoor Life, Outdoor Journal, Jack Hubley’s Wild Moments, and as a host on TomBob Outdoors: Friends in Wild Places.
Throughout his career, Cogan received numerous honors, including recognition from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the C. Ted Lick Conservation Foundation, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Senate Special Recognition Award, and Penn State University’s prestigious David T. Wanlass Wildlife Award.
The newly dedicated Cogan Terrace will serve as a lasting reminder of the vision, perseverance, and leadership that helped establish the Elk Country Visitor Center and elevate Pennsylvania’s elk country to national prominence.
Rawley and his wife, Lana, reside in Weedville, Pennsylvania. They are proud parents of two sons, Cody and Jess, and are blessed with a beautiful granddaughter, Blair.
About the Keystone Elk Country Alliance
The Keystone Elk Country Alliance is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to conserving and enhancing Pennsylvania’s elk country for future generations. KECA operates and manages the Elk Country Visitor Center in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and supports conservation education, permanent land protection, habitat enhancement, and outdoor recreation initiatives throughout the region.