Richard Mode

G. Richard Mode
Board of Directors
Resource Institute
Morganton, NC

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Appalachian State University. Richard began his career in the Burke County, NC school system where he taught furniture manufacturing, and drafting.  He also coached football and track.  Richard also served as a Manufacturer’s representative in the home furnishing industry for 30 years.  During that period, he ran a multi-state sales team, served on the product development, sales development, and policy team at T.L. Bayne Company.

In 2008 Richard started a new career with National Wildlife Federation (NWF) serving as Consultant to NWF and as Outreach Coordinator to the sportsman community and the conservation community in North Carolina and Virginia.  In that capacity, he has served on numerous NWF campaigns including:

  • Comprehensive Climate Legislation

  • Clean Air Act Defense

  • Clean Water Act Defense

  • Mercury Rule Defense

  • EPA defense

  • Renewable Energy Advocacy

  • Public Lands

During this tenure, Richard worked with nonprofits, state and federal decision-makers, resource management agencies, and business leaders.  He has developed media for the general public and presented at numerous venues.  This work has focused on promoting sound public policy that relates to wildlife habitats that protect and enhance wildlife habitats. He has recently retired from NWF.

Richard lives in Morganton, NC with wife Julia.  He has two grown children and three grandchildren.

Richard is proud to have served on serval nonprofit organizations including the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) Affiliate Representative to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).  He was the founding President of the local Table Rock Chapter for Trout Unlimited (TU) and served as the President and Chairman of the Board of National Trout Unlimited. 

Richard served for 20 years as a Board member of the NC Wildlife Federation and has served as Affiliate Representative to the NWF for 10 years.  For years, Richard’s goal has been to bring American hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts to the public policy decision table to protect the unique places and wildlife resources in America.