Governance & Leadership
How ABTA is led — founders, board of directors, and bylaws
How the ABTA Is Led
The ABTA is led by a dedicated team of seasoned handlers, skilled educators, and passionate volunteers, all united by a common mission: to raise the standard of wounded game recovery nationwide. Our leadership is made up of individuals who don’t just talk about the work—they live it. Every member actively tracks, invests countless hours in training both dogs and handlers, and shares a deep commitment to advancing proven, ethical recovery practices. Through hands-on experience, continued education, and a vision for long-term growth, we work to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and resources available to trackers everywhere. Together, we’re not only preserving the tradition of blood tracking — we’re shaping its future for the next generation.
Our Founders’ Story
Between them, Kenny Mullins and Ralph Bennett have walked countless miles behind a tracking dog. They’ve stood in the stillness after a missed shot, met a hunter’s gaze, and shouldered the responsibility of finding the truth in every trail. For years, they poured themselves into the craft — training dogs to work beyond instinct, studying the science of scent, and pushing the limits of what a recovery team could accomplish.
But their passion reached far beyond their own success. As they traveled, tracked, and met other handlers, they saw a national community with incredible heart — yet no unifying standard. Talent and dedication were out there, scattered across states and working in isolation, but too often, teams lacked the training, science, or structure to reach their full potential. Hunters didn’t know who to trust. Trackers had no clear path to grow.
That wasn’t good enough.
In 2023, Kenny and Ralph founded the American Blood Trackers Association with a mission bigger than themselves: to raise the bar for wounded game recovery nationwide. They envisioned a network of trackers bound by a shared code — trained with purpose, tested under real hunting conditions, and grounded in proven scent theory. A community where knowledge is shared freely, skill is earned through discipline, and every certified team stands as a benchmark of excellence.
The ABTA was built on the belief that the tracking community deserves more — more training, more science, more unity, and more respect. And that’s exactly what Kenny, Ralph, and every member of the association work for every single day.
Their Vision - Our Commitment
We see a future where every state in the nation is connected by a trusted network of certified teams, each representing the highest level of skill, ethics, and dedication to the craft. We aim to make advanced education and mentorship accessible to every serious handler, to foster a culture where trackers lift each other up, and to push the boundaries of what’s possible in wounded game recovery. The future of tracking, we believe, is not simply about preserving tradition — it’s about redefining excellence and setting a standard that will endure for generations.
Board of Directors
Our board provides strategic direction, oversees programs, and ensures that ABTA’s mission is upheld across the country.
Executive Director
Kenny Mullins– is a co-founder of ABTA and full-time professional trainer and tracker. He provides strategic leadership for the organization, overseeing national standards, education, outreach, and program development. He leads from the field, remaining actively involved in tracking, training, and mentorship to ensure ABTA’s mission stays rooted in real-world practice.
Operations Director
Matt Burger- is who oversees ABTA’s day-to-day operations. He supports test planning, coordinates operational logistics, and helps manage programs across the nation. A working dog handler first, he brings practical experience and a mission focused approach to keeping ABTA running efficiently.
Secretary/Treasurer
Kayla Tyer– oversees ABTA’s communications, member records, renewals, and financial systems. She ensures accurate record keeping, transparent financial processes, and organizational compliance, helping keep ABTA’s operations running efficiently and responsibly.
Education Director
Joe Tenney– Leads ABTA’s educational programming, including seminars, livestreams, and online learning initiatives. He focuses on advancing scent theory, training strategy, and practical problem solving to ensure handlers and dogs are prepared for real world recovery work.
Technology Director
Lyle Avis– oversees ABTA’s digital tools, online systems, and technical infrastructure, directories, and resources while helping guide future technology development to keep ABTA’s operations efficient, accessible and scalable.
Handler Development Director
Emily Nale– oversees ABTA’s handler development program, supporting new and developing handlers through structured mentorship, skill progression, and real-world experience. Emily is at the frontline shaping the future of handlers across the nation.
Membership Director
Megan Schmittt- serves as ABTA’s Membership Director, leading efforts to welcome new members, retain current members, and build a strong, connected tracking community. She assists with membership questions and renewals, helps members understand and access their benefits, and works with association leadership to develop additional member benefits, improve the member experience, and grow membership nationwide.
Testing Director
Ralph Bennett– co-founder of ABTA, oversees the organizations national testing program and field certification standards. He ensures dogs and handlers are evaluated on real-world recovery performance, maintaining consistency, credibility, and integrity across all testing events.
Marketing Director
Lauren DePanfilis– leads efforts to promote the association, grow awareness of ethical game recovery, and attract new members. They oversee marketing campaigns, social media, and promotional materials, highlighting member benefits, educational programs, testing opportunities, and events. They also work with association leadership to build sponsor relationships and maintain a consistent, professional public presence nationwide.
Judge Director
Landon Manning– oversees the coordination and deployment of ABTA’s judge teams, supporting event staffing, scheduling, and on-site operations. He also supports the development and readiness of judges through mentoring, feedback, and practical field experience, ensuring consistent, well-prepared judge teams at all ABTA events.
Founding Advisor to the Board
Jason Bell
Advisor to the Testing Program
Stacey Frost
Bylaws
The ABTA operates under a set of bylaws that define our structure, responsibilities, and decision-making processes. These rules ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency in all aspects of the association.