Sam Mason has been involved in wildlife conservation since the formation of the first Valley Land Fund (VLF) Wildlife Photo Contest in 1994. He served as Assistant Director of the VLF event in 2000-2002, and continues to promote conservation through nature photography as Executive Director of the Images for Conservation Fund and the ICF Pro-Tour of Nature Photography.

Early readings in Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, and growing up in a natural setting in suburban Houston, Texas, led Mr. Mason to appreciate nature as an elemental part of humanity. As such, he greatly values the work of ICF in preserving wildlife habitat through positive economic methods while communicating the compelling beauty of the natural world in a visual language that everyone can understand.

As Executive Director, Sam Mason serves a myriad of functions, from publicity to logistics, corresponding with photographers, landowners, sponsors and the media. Additionally, he supervises ICF membership, finances, and outreach programs.

Mr. Mason is an amateur nature photographer and enjoys spending time outdoors. He holds a bachelors degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Virginia. Various work experiences include video production, music production, arts promotion, and office management.

Herm Wille provides a proven and measurable method that advances the business theme of corporate sponsors of the ICF Pro-Tour of Nature Photography. This applies to meeting the requirements of public and private foundations; nonetheless the goals of individuals who support land conservation and the protection of wildlife habitat.

From salesman to Vice President, Mr. Wille spent 25 years with Kraft Foods in sales and marketing. His program for developing the minority group customer base in the early 1970's continues today as a model throughout Corporate America. Since retiring from Kraft, Wille has introduced public interest and ethnic marketing programs for Southland/7-Eleven; Circle K; Wal-Mart; Sumitomo Bank; and Blockbuster Video; as well as numerous small businesses throughout the country. This included consulting services for the U.S. Mexico Border Initiative under the leadership of former Vice President George H. W. Bush.

Mr. Wille developed a major key contact base through his involvement in many ethnic organizations and with their leadership. Much has been achieved by his 20 years as a member of the University of Texas-Pan American Foundation Board of Trustees, as a Trustee of NAACP Special Contribution Fund, and with more than 30 years as a Board member of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. Additionally, Herm Wille has a well-established network of educational and business contacts throughout the Republic of Mexico.

From Chicago, San Francisco, and New York, where he was a survivor of the World Trade Center tragedy and became a board member of the 9/11 United Services Group, Wille is now back in his home town of Tucson, Arizona. As a graduate of the University of Arizona, and a supporting member of the Center for Creative Photography at the University, Herm Wille is fully committed to the ICF Pro-Tour of Nature Photography.