The Nominating Committee has developed a slate of candidates who have agreed to run for a position on the OkIPC Board.
- Jodie Crose, Corteva Agriscience
- Elaine Ewigman, ODWC
- Brandon Gibson, Tribal Alliance for Pollinators
- Chris Hise, The Nature Conservancy
- Steven Smith, Noble Research Institute (re-elect)
You can read the profile of each candidate below. Write-in candidates will also be accepted during the election.
The link for voting will be sent through this eNewsletter on the morning of December 8th. Online voting will be open Dec. 8-14. Subscribe to the newsletter!
Jodie Crose
I was raised on a small cattle and pecan operation in northeast Oklahoma. I grew up in agriculture and found my passion for invasive species control while attending college at Oklahoma State. I studied botany and plant and soil science and took courses that introduced me to the impacts of these plants and taught me how to control them. I just couldn’t get enough of Oklahoma State, so I stuck around for a Master’s degree in agronomic weed science. From there, I traveled to northeast Wyoming where I recently completed my PhD with the University of Wyoming. My dissertation focused on invasive annual grass control and native species restoration. In May, I accepted a position as a field scientist working in range and pasture with Corteva Agriscience. I look forward to becoming more involved with OkIPC and working with land managers throughout the state to reduce invasive plant impact.
Elaine Ewigman
I am the Aquatic Nuisance Species/Fish Kill Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. I worked as the very first ANS Technician, starting my time with ODWC in December 2021, and just recently promoted to the coordinator position September 1 of this year. I work with anything that is invasive in and around water as well as investigating reported fish kills on public waters. Even though the organisms I work with are not wanted in our state, I still find them fascinating in their own ways. I’m looking forward to being a part of this group!
Brandon Gibson
I am a program coordinator for Tribal Alliance for Pollinators based in Bixby, OK. I began my current position in January 2020 and have been enjoying it ever since. We collect seeds of plants that are native to Oklahoma and sourced exclusively from Oklahoma, often from remnant areas. We then grow those seeds out and distribute the plant plugs to the tribes of Oklahoma at no cost to them. I spend most of my time during the warm months of the year propagating native plant species, collecting seeds, conducting plantings with tribes, and doing presentations about how, and why, to establish native habitat. During the winter months, I spend most of my time cleaning/processing native seeds for our native seed bank that is available to the tribes of Oklahoma for habitat restoration, as well as conducting presentations about our native plants and pollinators.
Chris Hise
I direct land management and research efforts at The Nature Conservancy’s Four Canyon Preserve, a 4,000-acre natural area in western Oklahoma. I also serve as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager for TNC’s Oklahoma Chapter and is a certified Type 2 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss. I graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. A lifelong resident of the Great Plains, Chris enjoys all types of outdoor activities and spending time with his family.
Steven Smith
I grew up in Yukon, OK on a small farm. I graduated with a bachelors and master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. After OSU, I served as a wildlife management area manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Department for two years. I have spent the last 17 years as a wildlife and fisheries consultant for the Noble Research Institute. I am privileged to get to work with farmers and ranchers to achieve their regenerative agricultural goals in the Southern Great Plains. It has been my pleasure to serve on the OkIPC board the past few years. The OkIPC has been a valuable resource in highlighting the danger of numerous invasive species as well as promoting native species.
Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council 