Mark Copeland is the store director of Jay’s Sporting Goods in Gaylord, Michigan, where he has worked the past 13 years. Copeland is an avid outdoorsman whose passion is mentoring and preserving outdoor resources and traditions. He joined the ATA Board in 2013 as a representative of the ATA Dealers Council, and was elected as its vice chair in March 2016. He then served a term as chairman of the board.
As a certified instructor, Copeland has helped grow more than 250 archery clubs, NASP schools and Centershot Ministries worldwide. In 2009 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources honored him as a “Partner in Conservation” for his contributions to the agency’s archery programs.
Copeland is president of the Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society, a nonprofit conservation organization. He’s also a USA Archery Level 3 community archery coach, basic archery instructor trainer, NASP/Centershot Michigan regional archery coordinator, hunter safety instructor, and a certified instructor for the International Bowhunter Education program.
“I consider it a huge blessing to sit in a room with archery leaders and get behind programs that grow our sports,” Copeland said. “I also want to spread the word to archery dealers about the great work ATA is doing to help them. We need to leave a bigger legacy than just ourselves, and the ATA is doing that. My advice to everyone is to get outside and take someone with you. Share the experience.”
Before working at Jay’s, Copeland was a regional director at a portrait company, Photo Corp. of America Intl.