Joe Coogan, Class of 68
Adventurer, TV Host
Joe Coogan is currently hosting a new-concept TV show for Benelli, an acknowledged leader in the firearms industry and part of the Beretta Holdings Group, called Benelli On Assignment (BOA). The show, airing on Versus (formerly called OLN) on Friday and Sunday mornings, teams Joe with guests that include recognized editors, writers and photographers of top national publications, who field test Benelli USA brand products during a variety of exciting hunts filmed at destinations far and wide. Joe spends much of the year filming his hunting adventures all over the world, which recently included a return to his old “stomping grounds” in Botswana to visit his former boss and mentor, Harry Selby. A special show about Joe’s return to Africa will air in December, 2007. Log on to www.benelliusa.com or to www.versus.com to see the schedule for upcoming Benelli On Assignment TV shows.
Joe was fortunate enough to spend six years in Kenya, East Africa with his family back in the late 60s and early 70s. During the Kenya years Joe and his family enjoyed the big game viewing, hunting and photographic opportunities available to them throughout East Africa. Visiting the Coogans in Kenya at various times were other Cocoa Beach High alums, Mike Brennan ’69, and Ron Rubino’70.
Returning to the States each year for college, Joe completed a degree in Mass Com/Journalism from the University of South Florida in 1972. Following college, Joe returned to Africa to pursue his dreams of guiding hunting and photographic safaris. Accepting an offer to join the prestigious Ker, Downey, & Selby (KDS) Safaris, under the leadership of the renowned Harry Selby, Joe moved to Botswana in 1973. After serving an apprenticeship under Selby’s guidance, Joe qualified for a Botswana professional hunter’s license in 1974, rarely issued to those not born and raised in Africa. He conducted safaris for KDS Safaris, and, later, Safari South, for nearly 20 years.
In 1991, finally plugging in his college education, Joe joined the editorial staff of Petersen’s HUNTING Magazine and relocated to Los Angeles, remaining with the magazine for six years. In June of 1997, he accepted a position with a Little Rock company involved with wildlife management on a 14,000-acre farm, located near Stuttgart, Arkansas, where he lived for the next three years.
In 2001, Joe moved back to his home state of Florida in order to devote more time to an increasing number of magazine writing assignments and book projects. That same year he renewed his ties to Africa when he accepted a professional hunter’s position with Tanzania Game Tracker’s Safaris (TGTS) in Tanzania, East Africa. Joe spent four months each year in Tanzania through the 2005 season.
In June, 2006, Benelli USA named Joe as their Brand Marketing Manager at its headquarters in Maryland. In this position Joe is responsible for promoting and presenting the brand names and products of Benelli USA to the media focusing on the hunting and outdoor markets. His duties include public relations, copy writing, media events, and involvement in advertising, trade shows, as well as direct involvement with Benelli’s two TV show productions.
Other Photos of Joe:
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