The Ballot will be sent by a separate email.  Please contact Richard Ockenfels (rockenfels@agfd.gov) (602-789-3379) if you have any questions.

 

Bio Sketches for Nominations for  2008 Officers and Board Members, The Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society

 

 Courtney Conway, candidate for Board Member

 

Courtney received his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University, a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Wyoming, and a PhD in Organismal Biology and Ecology from the University of Montana.  He conducted both his Masters research (rails along the lower Colorado River) and PhD research (passerines on the Mogollon Rim) in Arizona.  Currently, Courtney is the Assistant Unit Leader of the Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and also an Associate Professor in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Arizona.  His research over the past 20 years has focused on breeding ecology, habitat selection, effects of land-use changes, and effective monitoring techniques in birds.  He has been a member of TWS since 1985.  Courtney served as a member of the Local Arrangements Committee and Chair of the Merchandise Committee for the 2007 TWS national conference in Tucson.  He has published 11 papers in JWM, and serves as the co-advisor for the TWS student chapter at the University of Arizona.

 

Brian Dykstra, candidate for President-Elect

 

Brian grew up in Michigan and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Michigan Technological University in 1983.  After working several seasonal jobs for the Forest Service in the 1980s and early 90s, he returned to school to study wildlife and received a Master of Science in Wildlife Biology from South Dakota State University in 1995.  While a student at SDSU, Brian volunteered to serve as the newsletter editor for TWS’s South Dakota Chapter.  He was hired by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in 1995 as a Wildlife Biologist and is currently the Wildlife Staff Officer on the Black Mesa Ranger District in Overgaard.  Brian has been a member of The Wildlife Society since 1994 and served previously on the Board as the Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society’s Correspondence Secretary.

 

Jon Hanna, candidate for Board Member

 

Jon has been working for the AGFD since 1992. After graduating from the University of Wyoming and working for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for five years, he moved to Arizona in 1992 and starting working in the AZGFD Nongame Program. In 1995, Jon became the Game Specialist in Region VI and continues in that position today, being involved in all big and small game management issues for the region.   Jon is currently the Chairman for the Arizona Chapter Continuing Education Committee.

 

Robert Fink, candidate for Board Member

 

In 1989, Robert received a Bachelor’s degree in Range Ecology from Arizona State University.  After working numerous short-term positions with the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State University, and a private consulting firm, Robert began his career with the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1993 as a research biologist.  Since then, he has worked as a Habitat Specialist, a District Wildlife Manager, and is currently the Wildlife Program Manager for the Department’s Tucson Region.  Robert served as the Registration Chairman for the 2006 Joint Annual Meeting in Flagstaff

 

 

Mayra Moreno, candidate for Corresponding Secretary

 

Mayra recently graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Biology, with an emphasis in Ecology and minor in Photography.  While at NAU, she was actively involved with the student chapter of The Wildlife Society. TWS has influenced her confidence by the opportunities of on-the-job experience and networking.  She is currently a Natural Resource Manager I for Arizona Department of Transportation in the Prescott Office of Environmental Services, Natural Resources Management Group.  Mayra is a first generation Mexican American from a farming background with a wide range of experiences working with flora and fauna.  She would like to continue to be involved with TWS, with her commitments and aspirations directed to the State Chapter.

 

Thomas Skinner, candidate for Board Member

 

Tom is currently the Wildlife, Fish and Rare Plant Staff Officer for the Coronado National Forest, Tucson, Arizona.  He has worked for the U. S.

Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in three different states in wildlife, range and watershed management, after completing an M.S. degree at the University of Arizona.  He is a long time member of The Wildlife Society, and recently served on the Arrangements Committee for the 2007 National Conference.  He is strongly supportive of an active membership as wildlife issues continue to grow in number and complexity.  The Wildlife Society is an important source of support for wildlife biologists everywhere, especially in challenging times like these, and, as a board member will work to build support for our programs and strengthen our relationship with others in the conservation community.

 

 

Claire Zugmeyer, candidate for Corresponding Secretary

 

A member of the Wildlife Society for four years, Claire completed a B.S. in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2002, and has since worked on a variety of research projects focusing on birds, mammals, fish and amphibians. This past April, Claire completed her Master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science at the University of Arizona where she examined the response of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels to severe insect infestation. In late October, Claire joined the Sonoran Institute as a research assistant for the Sun Corridor Legacy Program, where she is primarily working on the ecological monitoring component of a larger project to promote conservation of the Santa Cruz River. She served on the Photo Committee for the 2006 annual meeting in Flagstaff and on the Merchandise Committee for this year’s national meeting in Tucson.