Board of Directors and Staff

Brigid O’Donoghue grew up in a large family of Irish descent. The oldest daughter in a family with nine kids found responsibility knocking at her door early in life. With limited financial resources, the Milwaukee, WI, native worked at jobs after school and on weekends so she could attend the area’s best private educational facilities. Her physically and mentally challenged younger brother was an inspiration during Brigid’s formative years. (read the Prologue below). Her brother’s physical challenges created a calling in her heart and inspired her to reach out to others who were less fortunate and needed her help. Unfortunately, her own personal health challenges threw her a curve ball. After numerous lengthy stays in and out of the hospital, including major surgery to remove scar tissue from a high fever, Brigid began picking up her life where it had left off years before.

The entrepreneur in her led her to begin her own business selling tractor-trailer loads of ground bark to landscapers throughout the Midwest. In addition, she blazed new trails by trucking bagged cottonseed from the cotton gin producers in the South to feed mills in the North. At the same time, she raised two wonderful children, despite continual abuse and lack of support in her relationship. Her daughter, Lindsey, is a Registered Nurse (like her grandmother) and lives in Milwaukee. Her son, Kenny, is a journeyman and works in the refrigeration industry in San Antonio, TX. Brigid’s children are dear to her heart and provide inspiration in her life and work.

In 1998, Brigid put her feed mill and trucking knowledge to work and started a new specialized company called Bio-Tec Research, Inc., which formulates and markets North America’s highest quality deer and elk products. In addition, she forged a limited-edition fashion line called “Charnel” that features unique, tailored outdoor wear.

When a deer food customer asked Brigid if she knew of any critically ill hunters who would be interested in a free deer hunt at his ranch, the seeds were sown for the birth of USSA. Brigid contacted a Texas man with cancer who flew to the ranch and harvested a nice buck. From that point, USSA’s wheels were in motion. By helping him realize his dream and spending time with this man, Brigid was inspired and knew in her heart she could pass happiness to others who were dealing with life-threatening illnesses. With a clear vision, she developed the all-volunteer United Special Sportsman Alliance in fall of 2000.

Through USSA, Brigid observed the inspiration passed on in her work creates special moments that make even the most difficult of life’s challenges especially meaningful. There is never a time that she does not look back and realize how fortunate she is to have overcome so many personal challenges. That personal healing keeps her striving to do all she can to bring joy and hope into the hearts of others. There is a special place in her heart for those children, adults, veterans and their families with which she shares her time. For Brigid, they are always a special addition to her own family.

Brigid is continuously motivated by the incredible love and life-long connections created between so many special people within the charity. The time shared with these wonderful kids, injured veterans, and their families leaves her knowing that neither she nor USSA recipients are ever truly alone!

“The greatest impact of this charity is helping provide the inspiration for others to get involved,” she said.  “We pass on our vision to see beyond the pain, disability, and hardships of serious illnesses. We know we all will endure loss, but the sharing in our work has created a mechanism of hope and healing for the children, the families and for those who help by volunteering their time and resources for this important cause”.

“I have been greatly inspired and at the same time humbled by the positive national impact this vision has created,” she said.

Brigid works with television, radio, print, and digital media across the country and the response from those who get involved is overwhelming. Her plan is to inspire persons to become optimistically intertwined in the lives of others and make a real difference. Her efforts have been successful beyond the charity’s expectations, with thousands of people experiencing a unique way to share hope and create new friendships.

Brigid plans to continue working with a strong Board of Directors, Major Operating Officers, Advisory Council, and Youth Outdoor Leaders to build a charity of caring people – all with the same mission – to provide joy and hope in the lives of needy children and injured veterans.  “I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to operate God’s charity,” she said.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

USSA Epilogue – Composed by Brigid O’Donoghue, around the age of 12:

Growing up in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Pete Normington was a 1972 graduate of Lincoln High school, earning National Honor society recognition for academic achievement. After earning acceptance into the University of Wisconsin Madison, Pete earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977, with a major in Economics, and an emphasis on Agricultural Economics courses. He then furthered his studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelors of Science from the College of Natural Resources with his fish biology major in 1977.

Pete began his work experience at the age of 15, working summers on the familys expanding Ocean Spray cranberry marsh. When combined with a summer of track repair crew work on the Soo Line railroad he learned the value of hard physical work in any upbringing and future career.

After graduating from college, Pete was employed as an agriculture sales and marketing person at Central Sands Produce. Several years later he rejoined the family cranberry marsh, where he currently serves as the President and General Manager of Saddle Mound Cranberry Co, Inc. He also served on the Ocean Spray Wisconsin Advisory Council for several years. He is also co-inventor of a patented hybrid cranberry vine, the HyRed developed at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

In addition, he is currently serving as the Vice President of Bio-Tec Research, Inc, a company specializing in the highest quality deer and elk nutritional products. He acts in a nutritional formulation capacity for the company.

Pete has three sons; Matt is an UWSP graduate and investment agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance. Wes is a UWSP graduate with a fishery major, and currently works on the family cranberry marsh. Scott is the youngest and also attending UWSP with an economics major. All of his sons have participated significantly in USSA volunteer projects.

Pete’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, waterskiing, and basketball. These activities have helped fuel his passion for the outdoors, and strengthened his resolve to provide an opportunity for all to enjoy, regardless of their circumstances in life.

Along with founder Brigid O’Donoghue, Pete helped launch USSA from its very inception. His duties are varied and can consist of assignments from being an onsite volunteer to advising and giving the charity direction.

In addition, he helps conduct a prison ministry, in which inmates are guided towards a better life after they are released. A deep founded respect for the value of human life and family experience helps make USSA an easy choice for Pete’s participation in the charity.

Peter J. Normington

It is a privilege to have been asked to participate on the United Special Sportsman’s Alliance (USSA) board of directors

My name is Jeff Davis, and I was born and raised in Oshkosh Wisconsin.  I moved to Stevens Point in June of 1985 to join the Stevens Point Fire Department.  My entire career of 32 years was spent serving the community as a fireman/paramedic and the last 3 years as the Assistant Chief.  I like to believe that the example I tried to set each day was for the safety and well-being of our community and to foster the growth and betterment of the Brotherhood of which I was a part of.

My wife Ellen and I, reside on 120 acres of land in Amherst Junction wherein 1996 I built our log home.  We enjoy raising our kids (chocolate labs) and spoiling our nieces and nephews!  Our home is a respite for family and friends who enjoy nature and wildlife.

My passion for the outdoors and giving to others extends to volunteering my time for several organizations.  Some of these are; National Wild Turkey Federation, Ageless Aviation Dream Flight, Tails & Trails Dog Park, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

I have been involved with the USSA for 10 years being a mentor and providing deer and turkey hunting opportunities for disabled veterans and physically challenged children.  There is nothing more rewarding than to witness the freedom of independence the outdoors brings to these individuals.

I hope to serve the board in the manner in which I live my life; with passion, commitment, selflessness and as a servant leader.

I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and graduated from Catholic High School in 1981. After high school I attended Louisiana State University Health Science Center and graduated in 1987 in Cardiopulmonary Science. From there I pursued a career in Perfusion Technology at the University of Texas, graduating with my second degree in 1990. I currently live in Lafayette, Louisiana where I have been practicing as a certified Clinical Perfusionist since graduation. Working as a Perfusionist, I helped start up a pediatric heart program, robotic heart program, and helped implement minimally invasive heart valve procedures in Lafayette. I have been involved in thousands of heart procedures since graduation. I am currently co-owner of Louisiana Perfusion Services in Lafayette.

I have been married to my wife Renee for 27 years, and we have 3 children, Amanda, Adam and Austin. Our older two children are in college, and we lost Austin when he was 15 years old. I have enjoyed a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing, which I share with my father and boys. Now Dad, Adam and I go when our schedule permits since Adam lives in another town while in college.

My wife and I became involved with USSA when our youngest son, Austin, died in February of 2013. Austin loved hunting and fishing, which he did every chance he could. In lieu of flowers, Renee and I asked our friends and family to make memorial donations to USAA in Austin’s name, so that special needs children could enjoy what Austin enjoyed. In June 2014, we witnessed first-hand the amazing things this organization has to offer when the Catching Bigger Fish fishing tournament was held in Austin’s memory. The success of the event would not have been possible without the efforts of USSA. I am proud to be affiliated with this USSA and look forward to seeing what the future holds.

I have been married to my husband, Brent, for 27 years. We have two sons, 22 and 24 years old. Brent has owned White Ghost Ranch for over 25 years. White Ghost Ranch has been a passion of Brent’s since he was a young boy, and I am lucky enough to be married to him and blessed to enjoy the fruit of his labor. Hard work, sweat and tears has given us the opportunity to give back with our time and resources to so many; our passion is terminally ill and disabled children and young adults. We have partnered with USSA for over 18 years and have been blessed enough to have hosted 27 hunts as of 2019. I love children and especially hosting them, and feel very blessed to be able to love on them. USSA and these children have changed my life forever.