Congratulations to our chosen 2022 Bob Hood Scholarship winner Zachary Reinert. Zachary is a loud and proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2023. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for him and where his future career will lead him.
More about Zachary S. Reinert
Career Goals
Life is a compilation of countless experiences; each of which proves influential in carving one’s career. I have had a myriad of encounters throughout life all pointing towards two careers: wildlife management and engineering. Growing up with my dad serving 30 years in Naval aviation, I took a keen interest in mechanics and systems. Because of this, I struggled withwhether I should pursue an education in my heart’s passion: wildlife, or my mind’s passion: engineering. It wasn’t until I spoke with Mr. Rob Carringer of Sierra Mesa Ranch and Mr. Don Crow of Crow’s Nest Ranch that I realized both were possible. Both of these ranch owners obtained their education in engineering and then applied the technical skills of their degree to build and professionally manage extremely successful ranches.
Given this, I am in my Junior year of majoring in Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University with a double-minor in Mathematics and Business where I conduct undergraduate research with the aerospace department’s NUANCED Lab. Specifically, my research focuses on hydrofoil boats and prototyping for electrically-powered aquatic vehicles to reduce pollution.While this is my focus in the classroom, I have also taken the necessary steps to begin my ultimate mission of wildlife preservation and management. Particularly, I have become the president of Texas A&M’s Texas Trophy Hunters Association chapter with the organizational target of fundraising and hosting annual charity banquets to donate all profits toward taking kids with disabilities on unforgettable hunts. Seeing the joy on these kids’ faces after memorable trips has pushed me towards the goal of starting a non-profit after college that continues to provide these kinds of trips to deserving children in the future.
Furthermore, I have applied the knowledge gained from assisting with Sierra Mesa’s laparoscopic artificial insemination operation towards helping Turkey Canyon Ranch with their exotic breeding program. Although these are just the first steps in a life-long journey in developing a career in the outdoors, the ability to merge the technical side of engineering with my passion for the outdoors will enable me to carry on the legacy of all outdoor enthusiasts that have come before me. With this in mind, wildlife serves as a crucial piece in the puzzle of my future. Yet this puzzle remains unfinished… pieces are yet to be discovered… and a final image is yet to be revealed.
Summary of Outdoor Activities
While many aspects of life dissolve with the passage of time, the impact of the outdoors has proven to influence the entirety of my life. Being born into a military family, my father was away from home for much of my childhood; yet, the outdoors never failed to bring us back together when he returned. From ice fishing in Pennsylvania, hiking in Iowa, and of course hunting in Texas every chance we could, outdoor adventures bridged the gap of my father’s absence throughout my childhood. Specifically, when my dad was stationed in New Orleans while the rest of my family remained in Texas, fishing for redfish and trout in the Gulf enabled my father and I to step away from the difficulty of living apart and let in the peacefulness of God’s work.
Furthermore, the influence that the outdoors has had on my friendship with Blaze Mayes – a student with Down Syndrome – has led me to further appreciate the power that nature holds. Particularly, I was able to help guide a hunt for Blaze donated by Buckmasters. Seeing the joy in Blaze’s eyes after taking down an incredible deer sparked a desire to spread this happiness toothers. Given this, I became a member of Texas Trophy Hunters Association’s A&M chapter with a goal of spreading the love of the outdoors to kids with life-altering diseases. Currently, I am in my second year of presidency for this organization where I lead eight other officers and 250 members all aimed at achieving this same goal. Not only has our organization doubled in size since becoming president, but more importantly we have been able to donate over $56k to Texas Hunt For The Cure: a non-profit that provides outdoor trips to kids with disabilities.
In addition to working with providing outdoor adventures to those who deserve it most, I have developed a keen interest in the breeding process of both whitetail and exotic species throughout Texas. This past Fall, I had the opportunity to assist in the laparoscopic artificial insemination operation at Sierra Mesa Ranch in Hico, Texas. After conducting post-op vital checks and administering reversals to 56 bred doe, I knew that animal breeding would hold a place in my future. With this, I have begun to assist Turkey Canyon Ranch with their exotic breeding logistics and species coordination. Hence, one can see that outdoor activities have shaped my life thus far, and will continue to direct my future toward spreading the love of the outdoors to others.
