Toxey Haas

Toxey Daniel Haas III (born January 21, 1960) is an American entrepreneur and conservationist. In 1986, he founded Haas Outdoors, Inc. where he currently serves as CEO.

Toxey Haas
Born (1960-01-21) January 21, 1960
West Point, Mississippi, U.S.
Alma materMississippi State University
Occupation(s)Founder and CEO of Haas Outdoors, Inc.
SpouseDiane Lusk Haas
ParentFox Haas
Websitewww.mossyoak.com

Early life and education

Haas was born and raised in West Point, Mississippi where he attended Oak Hill Academy. His father Fox took him hunting at Choctaw Bluff, a hunting club near Mobile, Alabama. A tree at their favorite hunting spot known as the Mossy Oak tree would serve as key inspiration in Haas' business career.[1] After graduating in 1976, he continued his education at Mississippi State University. While at Mississippi State, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and attained his bachelor's degree in Business Administration.[2]

Haas married Diane Lusk, and they moved back to West Point. He began working for Bryan Foods, a division of Sara Lee.[3]

Career

Haas had an idea to improve the conventional camouflage that hunters used. Haas gained inspiration from leaves, twigs, and dirt and pursued his first camouflage pattern. After being turned down many times, Crystal Springs Print Works in Georgia agreed to print his pattern. However, they had a 10,000 yard minimum, and he could only afford 800 yards.[1] Haas convinced them to make an exception.

Haas officially left his job at Bryan for his entrepreneurial pursuits and enlisted the help of his friend Bill Sugg as his partner. In 1986, Haas founded Haas Outdoors, Inc and introduced the Mossy Oak brand of outdoor clothing using the "Bottomland" pattern he designed.[4] The first Mossy Oak clothing was sewn by Haas' mother in his childhood home.[5]

Haas and his friend Chris Hawley cofounded Mossy Oak's real estate company Mossy Oak Properties in 1999.[6]

Haas, along with wildlife biologist Grant Woods, cofounded BioLogic in 1999. BioLogic is headquartered in West Point.[7] Founded in 2007, Nativ Nurseries is headquartered in West Point and grows and sells trees for landowners.[8]

Awards and recognition
  • Mississippi Small Business Person of the Year (1989)[9]
  • West Point Hall of Fame (1999)[10]
  • Catch-A-Dream "Corporate Vision Award" (2004)[11]
  • Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame (2009)[12]
  • Ducks Unlimited Hero of Conservation (2009)[13]
  • Mississippi State University College of Business Alumnus of the Year (2017)[14]
  • National Wild Turkey Federation Lifetime Achievement Conservation Award (2022)[15]

Appearances in literature

Chapters of the following books regard Haas' endeavors:

  • Storms of Perfection, Andy Andrews[16]
  • Mississippians, Neil White[17]
  • Mississippi Entrepreneurs, Polly Dement[18]
  • What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs, Jan Norman[19]

References
  1. Imes, Birney. "Toxey Haas' Great Outdoors." Catfish Alley. Spring 2012: 62-67. Print.
  2. "Giants of the Industry: Mossy Oak". 10 August 2011.
  3. "Mossy Oak Staff | Fox Haas, Secretary/Treasurer". Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  4. "A Look Into the Heart and Mind of Mossy Oak Founder Toxey Haas". POMA. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  5. "Mossy Oak". basecamp.mossyoak.com.
  6. "About Us".
  7. "Our Story". BioLogic.
  8. "Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries - Oak Trees and Fruit Trees for Wildlife". Nativ Nurseries.
  9. "The U.S. Small Business Administration." 1989.
  10. "West Point, Mississippi". Archived from the original on 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
  11. http://www.catchadream.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/prMay04.pdf%5B%5D
  12. "Toxey Haas". Garry Masons Legends of the Outdoors. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
  13. "Ducks Unlimited honors Mississippi conservationists". Archived from the original on 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2012-06-29.
  14. "Alumnus of the Year - College of Business - Mississippi State University". Archived from the original on 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  15. "EP 118 Southern Turkey Hunting Traditions w/ Daniel Haas - Apex Fireside".
  16. Andrews, Andy. "Storms of Perfection: Lessons from the Masters." Nashville: Lightning Crown, 2004.
  17. White, Neil. "Mississippians." Oxford: Nautilus, 2010. Print.
  18. Dement, Polly. "Mississippi Entrepreneurs." Cat Island Books LLC, 2014. Print.
  19. Norman, Jan. "What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs." Chicago: Dearborn, 1999,2004. Print.
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