NASBLA Names Hunter Wisecarver 2025 Southern Region Educator of the Year
Wisecarver serves in TWRA’s District 42, which covers 10 counties in eastern Tennessee and includes several major reservoirs and river systems. Though primarily assigned to Douglas Lake, Wisecarver routinely patrols a wide range of regional waterways, including the Holston, Nolichucky, Pigeon, French Broad, and Watauga rivers.
Since joining TWRA more than three years ago, Wisecarver has established himself as a leader in boating education and public engagement. In 2024, he taught four boating safety classes and certified 67 students who were required by law to complete the course, along with others who participated voluntarily.
Committed to making education accessible, Wisecarver offered classes at the Region 4 office on Saturday mornings and evening sessions for those unable to attend on weekends. He also brought boating safety education directly to school fishing teams throughout the region.
In addition to formal instruction, Wisecarver delivered more than a dozen public outreach programs in 2024. He partnered with local news outlets to raise awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence and visited schools to speak directly to students about water safety.
Wisecarver’s on-the-water enforcement efforts have been equally impactful. In 2024, he checked more than 360 vessels for compliance with boating safety regulations, issuing 128 warnings and citations. He arrested one operator for boating under the influence (BUI) and assisted in five additional BUI arrests. He also played a leading role in incident investigations within his district and contributed significantly to rescue and recovery operations during Hurricane Helene.
NASBLA recognizes Wisecarver’s commitment to education, enforcement, and public safety as a model of excellence. His proactive approach and dedication to service continue to make a difference for Tennessee’s boaters and waterways.
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Generously sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises Inc., the Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award was launched by NASBLA in 2011 to recognize those who engage students and boaters, raise awareness, and make boating education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. We offer a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards and publications. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, we affect the lives of nearly 85 million American boaters.