Announcing Our HN Arizona Advisor Committee
Arizona is a place where freedom, grit, and heritage run deep. From red rock canyons to high desert plains, generations of hunters and families have lived by stewardship, faith, and responsibility.
Hunter Nation Arizona was born from that same spirit.
Today, we’re proud to introduce the Advisor Committee for Hunter Nation Arizona—a dedicated group of multi-industry leaders united by one belief: Arizona’s hunting heritage is worth protecting. Together, they bring the experience and perspective needed to preserve access, defend the hunting lifestyle, and carry these traditions forward for future generations.
Meet the Founding Advisor Committee
Derek Matthews, Ph.D.
State Director, Chair
I’m not here to talk about my titles or accolades. I’d rather share my values, and why I am here.
I was taught early to work hard, honor my word, and take care of people—lessons learned sweeping floors, loading trucks, and doing whatever needed to be done in my family’s beer distribution business. The people I worked alongside taught me how to hunt and what the hunting lifestyle really means.
It’s not ultimately about fancy hunting gear or trophy mounts. It’s about the people you hunt with—and the moments after the hunt, around the campfire or the dinner table, where stories are shared and values are passed down. There’s no other sport that creates that bond. I want that for my 3 children.
That’s what’s worth protecting in Arizona.
Many hunters don’t vote. But when they do, America wins. In Arizona alone, we estimate 150,000 hunters who share our values won’t show up to vote in 2026—enough to shape outcomes without our voice. Hunter Nation exists to change that by uniting and activating hunters.
I’m not here to be the hero. You are. I am just the guide, surrounded by a team of advisors who are ready to save our Hunting Lifestyle.
Bradley Hillstrom Jr.
Entrepreneur & Co-Chair
Originally from California, Bradley moved to Arizona in search of greater freedom, a stronger connection to the land, and a state where heritage still thrives. A dynamic business and economic ecosystem builder, he has a gift for multiplying talent—identifying potential in people and helping them grow in purpose, process, and impact. His entrepreneurial insight and commitment to developing strong teams make him an invaluable force in guiding Hunter Nation Arizona’s growth and partnership development.
Eddy Corona
President, Outdoor Experience for All
Eddy’s passion for hunting and the outdoors began on his family’s ranch in Mexico. A first-generation American raised in Tucson, he spent his summers working alongside his grandparents at Rancho La Bellotosa, where he learned responsibility, stewardship, and respect for the land.
Introduced to hunting by his stepfather, Eddy learned to hunt ethically and came to understand the critical link between hunting and conservation—a principle that now defines his work.
Today, Eddy serves as President of Outdoor Experience for All, a nonprofit providing life-changing outdoor experiences to children with disabilities, life-threatening illnesses, children of fallen heroes, and disabled veterans. He has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the President of the United States under President Donald Trump and recognition from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, but considers the greatest reward seeing lives changed through the outdoors—and demonstrating that hunters are essential to conservation.
Elisha Ferraro
Grassroots Community Engagement Expert
Elisha brings years of experience in volunteer leadership, community engagement, and relationship-building. With a background in AmeriCorps program management and coordinating opportunities for hundreds of nonprofits and schools, she excels at mobilizing people around meaningful causes. She is active in her local community, passionate about service, and skilled at bringing families, volunteers, and organizations together. Her strengths in outreach, communication, and community building make her a valuable asset to our statewide mission.
Joey Vincent
Entrepreneur & Avid Hunter
Joey is a natural network connector who strengthens communities by bringing people together. An Arizona native, proud husband, and father of four, he spends significant time teaching his kids the hunting lifestyle and the heritage that defines our state. Deeply knowledgeable about conservation and what it takes to keep Arizona’s hunting opportunities thriving, Joey blends business leadership with a passion for preserving the outdoors for future generations.
George Heiler
Founder, Tech & Real Estate
George brings modern innovation and a passion for the outdoors, strengthening our ability to communicate, organize, and grow. Early in his career, he built and sold an 85-person technology consulting firm serving companies such as Roku, Kimberly-Clark, Publix, and Coinbase. He is also a hotel owner in Payson, Arizona, and a repeat founder, including a firearms silencer and parts manufacturing venture. Living and creating jobs in rural Payson with his wife and two young children, George is deeply committed to a Christian, outdoor, hunting, 2A, and free American lifestyle—and to helping others live out those same values.
James Gallegos
Strategic Investor, Marine Veteran, Ranch Owner & Lifelong Hunter
A voice for Arizona’s ranching and veteran communities, James brings land stewardship, discipline, and deep hunting knowledge. He is the owner of Blacktop Ranch in Texas, offering guided hunts across 400 acres of terrain and home to more than 25 species including African exotics, native game, and trophy whitetail. His apparel brand, BTR, bridges cultures where the concrete jungle meets the countryside.
The Cianciarulo Family
Hosts of The Choice (25+ Years)
For over 25 years, Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, along with their son RJ and his wife Aubrey, have shared their lives and legacy through The Choice TV show. Their message is simple: no matter what you hunt or how you hunt, as long as it’s legal—just hunt. Together, they continue to unite hunters and celebrate the family traditions that keep our outdoor lifestyle alive.
Joe Fanara
Northwestern Mutual Wealth Advisor & Avid Hunter
Living in Illinois, Joe brings a deep well of hunting knowledge, conservation insight, and traditional American values. A devoted father, he is passionate about teaching his boys the importance of hunting ethics, stewardship, and respect for the land. His financial expertise helps ensure our chapter operates with wisdom, stewardship, and integrity. Though he lives out-of-state, Joe has a genuine heart for Arizona and plays a key role in guiding our long-term financial health and mission impact.
Will Rudolphi
Dot Connector & Capital Raiser
Will is a Purdue University alumnus and seasoned business builder based in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a capital strategist and catalyst for growth, he leverages his expertise to drive innovation and strategic funding for emerging ventures. Will is a key connector in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and is passionate about fostering meaningful, long-term impact.
Dean Matthews
Land Manager, Entrepreneur & Conservationist
Dean is a former owner and operator of two President’s Award-winning Molson Coors wholesalers in Iowa and Illinois, an entrepreneur, leadership expert, and talent multiplier. A lifelong hunter turned land manager, he transformed his Illinois hunting property into a national destination for trophy whitetail—featured on the Pursuit Channel, Bass Pro, and Cabela’s. His expertise in habitat management, team leadership, and long-term conservation strategy strengthens our chapter’s commitment to preserving hunting for generations to come.
Tyler Smith, Ph.D.
Entrepreneur, Mechanical Engineering & Land Management
A fourth-generation Arizonan with deep agricultural roots, Tyler grew up working on his family farm in Maricopa, where his love for the outdoors and hunting began. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from ASU and now enjoys sharing Arizona’s wild places with his wife, Stephanie, and their three boys. Whether hunting, fishing, backpacking, or exploring the backcountry, Tyler brings a passion for land stewardship and outdoor adventure to our advisory team.
Jeff Dashnaw
Founder, MIA Films
Jeff was born on Catalina Island on April 1, 1956, and grew up hunting and fishing with his father, George. After his father joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the family moved to Los Angeles County, where Jeff spent his youth outdoors alongside firefighter families—shaping a lifelong passion for the outdoors.
With nearly 50 years in the motion picture industry, Jeff is the founder of MIA Films in Texas, focused on producing American-made films, employing U.S. filmmakers, and creating opportunities for veterans to build meaningful careers. An avid hunter and angler, Jeff purchases licenses wherever he travels and believes voting is both a right and a responsibility.
Jeff is honored to be part of Hunter Nation and committed to helping it continue to grow.
Recent projects include:
Why This Committee Matters & What’s Next
Our Advisor Committee brings together leaders united by a deep commitment to Arizona’s hunting heritage. Together, they help drive:
- Conservation and habitat stewardship
- Youth and family hunting education
- Membership and volunteer growth
- Strategic partnerships
- Long-term sustainability for Hunter Nation Arizona
With this foundation in place, we’re preparing to expand our impact through:
- Events, banquets, and rallies that unite hunters
- Membership outreach across the state
- Habitat and conservation initiatives
- Family-focused education programs
- Strategic fundraising to support our mission
This is just the beginning.
Get Involved
Together, we will preserve the right to hunt, protect access to land, and defend the traditions that define Arizona.