The ballot for The Wildlife Society’s 2025 elections includes nominees for the positions of vice president and representatives for the Northeast and Central Mountains and Plains sections.
Electronic ballots will be sent May 26 to all members with an email address. Members without an email address will receive a paper ballot in the mail. Voting will close June 30. Mailed paper ballots must be postmarked on or before June 30. In accordance with TWS’ Bylaws, newly elected council members are scheduled to be installed at the next regular meeting of Council during the 33rd Annual Conference, Nov. 1-5, in Des Moines, Iowa.
The candidates’ statements expressing their vision for The Wildlife Society and their interest in running for this council position are below.
Nominees for Vice President:
Karl Martin
It is with great enthusiasm, a deep commitment to our profession and strong sense of humility that I submit my name for the position of Vice President of The Wildlife Society (TWS). Having been an active member of TWS for over three decades I have seen firsthand how TWS serves an essential role for professionals and students with a focus on wildlife science, research, management, communications, professional development, and advocacy. TWS has always been my go-to professional association benefiting me as both a student and professional. Being vice president is an opportunity for me to serve this amazing organization by supporting students, professionals, and the natural resources that we have committed to research, manage, and conserve.
I have a long-standing record of service at the chapter, section, and parent society. Notably, I served as the North Central Section Representative to the TWS Council (2010–2013), President of the Wisconsin Chapter of TWS (2007–2008) and Associate Editor for the Journal of Wildlife Management (2003-2005). My contributions have been recognized through my selection as a TWS Fellow in 2015 and Wisconsin receiving the TWS Chapter of the Year Award during my tenure on the executive board.
The vision for TWS should address both long-standing and emerging challenges facing the sound management and stewardship of our wildlife resources in a rapidly changing world. These challenges are evident in the unprecedented pressures many of our wildlife colleagues face regarding their employment, professional qualifications, and the work to which they have dedicated their careers.
At the same time, rapid advances in artificial intelligence present both significant opportunities and new challenges. AI has the potential to transform how we learn, conduct research, educate, and manage wildlife resources and how TWS functions as an organization. Of course, vision must be grounded in fiscal reality and TWS is not immune to those challenges.
As a grassroots, member-driven organization, it is essential for TWS Council to continue providing strong support for our student and professional members while simultaneously advancing strategic initiatives in four key areas:
- Governmental advocacy and support for our members, policies, and priorities.
- Membership diversification and growth, and expansion of member services.
- Diversification of funding sources, with a particular emphasis on philanthropy and grants.
- Thoughtful development of policies and practices related to the Internal and external use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
In a time of rapid change, TWS must be both strategic and innovative to effectively serve the profession. Our grassroots foundation makes collaborative leadership essential, and our leaders must actively seek opportunities to engage members in addressing the critical issues facing wildlife professionals today.
Thank you for your time and consideration of me for the position of TWS Vice President. I’m honored to be considered for this important position, and I look forward to the possibility of continuing my service to TWS.
Budd Veverka
The Wildlife Society has been a deeply important part of my life as I have navigated through my education and career in the wildlife profession. Moving from college to seasonal jobs to full-time positions in numerous locations, TWS, and the amazing people I have met and become friends with, have been the one constant through the many changes. Our community, with its diversity of amazing individuals, has helped me grow and become not only a better biologist but a better person. This has led me to make every effort to pay it forward to those coming after me, helping students and new professionals find a place in our field. At this moment in time, I believe that it is vital for The Wildlife Society to broaden our community, reaching out to conservation professionals and organizations that do on-the-ground work for wildlife, such as land trusts, county and local governments, utility companies, and outdoor education centers, but have typically not considered themselves wildlife professionals, expanding our outreach and challenging our members to find these dedicated professions and invite them into this wonderful organization.
In getting to know me, I spoke of inspiration. That ability to inspire, whether it be the child wanting to learn about an animal they love, the farmer considering a conservation practice on their ever more precious land, or our political leaders who are solicited for favor every day, must be our primary purpose. We must find ways to inspire young students to connect with the wildlife profession before they enter college. My own organization has developed a strong high school research program, and I know there are other organizations out there with amazing youth programs. How can we develop and bring those programs into The Wildlife Society? How can we inspire through our outreach? I think the rebrand and elements like “Our Wild Lives” have started us on that path, but I want to work hard to turn our message, our inspiration, into results that will strengthen and grow our organization and make us a stronger advocate for wildlife and our people.
Nominees for Northeast Section:
Angela Fuller
My motivation to serve The Wildlife Society comes from gratitude and commitment. For more than two decades, TWS has shaped my career, community, and sense of purpose as a wildlife professional. After three years serving on Council, that commitment has only deepened. I have seen firsthand the dedication of our members and the opportunity we have to strengthen TWS’ impact for both people and wildlife.
During my first term, I served as Chair of the Visionary Processes Committee and as member of the Strategic Plan Implementation committee (among other committee roles on council). These roles have given me a comprehensive view of how TWS functions, from big-picture strategy to the daily work that supports members. They have also positioned me to help guide where we go next. I am energized by the Society’s momentum as we become more inclusive, more forward-thinking, and better positioned to lead the profession during a time of unprecedented uncertainty and rapid ecological and social change.
My leadership approach is grounded in decision science. I focus on clarifying problems, defining objectives, and working collaboratively toward transparent, evidence-based solutions. This mindset helps teams navigate complexity and make thoughtful, strategic, durable choices about the future of TWS.
If elected to a second term, I will continue to lead with purpose and be a thoughtful voice for members in the Northeast. I will help advance a strong, adaptive, and welcoming society that supports and prepares the next generation of wildlife professionals and strengthens our collective impact on wildlife conservation.
Scott Williams
I would like to think that I am a hard worker and am a “tell it how it is” kind of a guy without sugar coating it. I expect nothing less of my colleagues telling me directly what they need and how we can come to an agreement to make things better instead of being stuck on an island of resentment and bad communication. This will ensure that we move the wildlife profession forward together so that we, and the wildlife we represent, are better for it.
Nominees for the Central Mountains and Plains Section:
Adam Ahlers
I’ve been a member of The Wildlife Society for two decades. During this time, I’ve volunteered for multiple leadership roles and said ‘yes’ to many side quests to help advance the mission of TWS. The work has genuinely been rewarding and I’m excited for the opportunity to keep helping where I can. I believe that TWS needs to be a strong advocate for all wildlife professionals. This is especially true given the current and future uncertainty in many of our own careers and life’s work. To be a strong advocate for all our wildlife professionals, TWS needs to proactively be an external influence on policy makers and the public. We need to make sure our collective voice is effective and that our conservation and wildlife management interests are being considered when and where policy is crafted. I would like to help represent the collective interests and voices of wildlife professionals working in the Central Mountains & Plains Section as their representative to TWS Council
Terry Riley
I believe there is an untapped wealth of knowledge available through the experiences of wildlife habitat managers. One area of expansion that TWS might consider is providing a method of tapping into those practical experiences to share with the profession. At one time I thought the Wildlife Society Bulletin was going to provide that venue, but in my opinion it continues in a different direction.
