Tour the Witkop Safari Lodge

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Respecting a credo he practiced through his 30 years of military service with the USAF, Colonel D.W. “Doc” Pitts’ focus on Service before Self is now channeled to the Witkop Foundation mission – honoring those who have given so much to the cause of freedom around the world.

An avid outdoorsman, you won't find Don behind a desk very often. Reflecting back on his many decades as a hunter and 38 years as a professional pilot in various fighter aircraft and commercial airlines, Don speaks with a twinkle in his eye about the skills taught to him “in the field” by so many great guides and instructors. "This is where all the classroom time in a 1 G, climate controlled building is put to test and theory meets reality".

At an early age Don was taught respect for nature, firearms safety, basic marksmanship and small game & bird hunting skills “the old fashion way”…handed down father to son. Later in life and in various fields of endeavor he honed those skills and developed a passion to share these with others. One of his personal goals is to mentor following generations, teaching the craft and heritage of the harvest. As a member of Safari Club International, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a Life Member of the Dallas Safari Club, Vice President of the Dallas Safari Club Oklahoma Chapter, and a Patron Life member of the NRA, as well as a Life member of the Air Force Association, Don’s efforts are focused on a deeply patriotic purpose in life, along with a fervent support for the conservation of natural resources through responsible management, maintaining a proper balance within the circle of life and educating others about the importance of hunters in the preservation of all species. His leadership of the Witkop Foundation is a reflection of these core values.

An experienced and well-seasoned Professional Hunter (PH), Jess comes to the Foundation with over 20 years of professional game hunter experience on several continents. His philosophy and efforts center around offering the client-hunter the highest quality safari adventure, be it gun or camera, and tailored to that individual’s skills and needs. His personal choices in life are to leave things better than he found them and Jess strives to give something to everyone he guides in the field – “They arrive as clients but depart as friends” is his credo. As owner-operator of the Witkop Lodge and Safari he manages over 26 species of plains game in a fair chase environment that will challenge hunting skills while providing a world-class safari outing. In the evening he puts on his chef’s hat and cooks the harvests at the lodge’s campfire, recounting the daily activities in the field.

Prior to his PH career Jess served in the South African 44th Parachute Brigade, 1st Parachute Battalion, retiring at the rank of Captain. This is where his sense of brotherhood and camaraderie with the men and women serving their country stems from. Jess is actively involved in his community and is a member of many Non-Governmental Organizations including PHASA, South Africa’s Professional Hunters Association, Safari Club International and Wildlife Ranching SA.

The close personal friendship formed between Don and Jess began in 2016 when as a client they were introduced to one another by a mutual friend…over the years their belief in God, Country and family formed an even stronger bond. When Jess asked Don how he could “…give back and say thank you” to the men and women who stand up to tyranny and terrorism around the world the concept of a Safari-based foundation sprang to life. In 2017 with Dianne Dinkel the three of them formed the Witkop Foundation where today it stands ready to honor all who have served.

Micheal is a dedicated individual whose life is defined by service and a deep connection to the outdoors. With 27 years and counting in the military, currently serving as the Accessories Superintendent for the 138th Fighter Wing, he embodies the motto "Service before Self" in all aspects of his life. 

He's a familiar face at military events, readily volunteering his time and energy. When he's not contributing to the military community, you'll likely find him on the shooting range, sharing his expertise and passion for marksmanship with eager learners. 

He has been a volunteer at Witkop Foundation for the past 8 years, always making things happen. Mike shows up early and is the last to leave, offering help anywhere it is needed. His commitment to helping others is evident in the many foundation projects and activities throughout the years.

Micheal's love for the outdoors was instilled in him from a young age. At just five years old, he was already learning the ropes of hunting and outdoor survival from his grandfather and father. These early experiences ignited a lifelong passion that he has continued to cultivate throughout his life. He now strives to share his knowledge and skills with others. One of his personal goals is to mentor aspiring outdoorsmen and women, passing on the craft and heritage of the harvest to ensure its continuation for years to come.

Dr. Dianne Dinkel comes to the Witkop Foundation with a rich background in education and finance, completing her MBA degree with Arizona State University, her EdD with Northern Arizona University and putting those skills to task for over 28 years in various leadership capacities. She served as the senior fiscal officer at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, and as the Vice President of Business Affairs for Concordia University in Chicago, as well as Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago. In 2006 she began service as fiscal director and ultimately President/CEO of ATHENA International – an organization that supports, develops, and honors women leaders, through multiple leadership programs.

An educator by heart, Dianne stepped back into her mentorship role in 2011 where she served as an Assistant Professor with Charleston Southern University in Charleston SC, teaching courses in Ethical Management Decision making, Innovative Managerial Strategies, Managing Diverse Cultures and Social Entrepreneurship. 

Dr. Dinkel’s awards include Who’s Who in Higher Education (1994), Grand Canyon University Distinguished Alumnus, Outstanding Service Award for Public Education from the American Cancer Society, The International Alliance for Women 2009 World of Difference Award, The 100 Women Making a Difference in Chicago from Today’s Chicago Woman magazine (2011), The Women of Wealth magazine, 2011 America’s Women Top Mentoring Leaders award, The Sand Springs Education Foundation 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee, and In 2014 the recipient of the prestigious ATHENA National Leadership Award, where she remains to this day as a Founding Lifetime member.

"I am honored to be a part of the Witkop Foundation. The work that I do pales in comparison to the sacrifices made by our military men and women and their families. My father was a veteran and taught me to make a difference in someone's life, every day. I believe that working with the Witkop Foundation will allow me to honor and give back to our military families who have given so much; and we can make a difference in their lives."

Major Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (Ret.) is the Founder and CEO of Major Ed: Empower the Veterans Foundation. He is also the Commercial Project Manager for First American Title. In addition, he is a Founding member of the Heart of a Lion Foundation which provides mental, physical and wellness support to our nation's children and America's Veterans. Additionally, he was the Sr. VP and is a current Military Ambassador the Folds of Honor Foundation, a Veterans charity which provides the spouses and children of the fallen and wounded, educational scholarships. Major Ed is also a founding member of Warriors for Freedom Foundation, a leadership institute focused on the mental, physical, and wellness support of our wounded Veterans and their families. He is the spokesperson for AROGA Health. Finally, Major Ed is the Founder of Warrior Nation, a movement focused on the rights of liberty, freedom and patriotism. His autobiography is entitled Warrior for Freedom: Challenge, Triumph and Change, the Major Ed Pulido Story.