Society for Range Management - 2015 SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE
Candidates for SRM Second
Vice-President: Howery, Orr
Dr. Larry D. Howery
Tucson, AZ
EDUCATION: Ph.D., Range Science, Utah
State University, Logan, 1993; M.S., Wildlife
Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock,
1987; B.S., Wildlife Management, Texas Tech
University, Lubbock, 1984;
OCCUPATION: Professor and Extension
Specialist, Ecology, Management, and
Restoration of Rangelands (EMRR), School
of Natural Resources and the Environment
(SNRE), The University of Arizona (U of A),
Tucson, 2006-present; Associate Professor
and Extension Specialist, EMRR, SNRE, The
U of A, 2001–2006; Assistant Professor and
Extension Specialist, EMRR, SNRE, The U of
A, 1995-2001; Rangeland and Wildlife
Management Consultant, Western Range
Service, Elko, NV, 1993-1995;
SRM ACTIVITIES: Nominations Committee,
2010-2013; Co-Organizer of SRM Symposia,
2013, 2009, 2001; Fellow Award, 2011; Board
of Directors, 2007-2010 (Liaison to
Administrative Division); Chair, Search and
Screen Committee for Executive Vice
President, 2007-2008; Member, Accreditation
Visitation Team-Colorado State University,
2005-2006; Chair, Advisory Council, 2004-05;
Member, Advisory Council, 2001-2006;
Member, Search and Screen Committee for
Executive Vice President, 2004-2005;
Member, Operations Task Force, 2004-2005;
Moderator, Technical Papers, Annual
Meeting, 1998, 2004; Certified Professional in
Rangeland Management, 2001-present;
Chair, Publications Committee, 2000-2001;
Inaugural Chair, Invasive Species Committee,
1998-1999; Member, Glossary Update Task
Committee,
1996-1998;
SRM
CoRepresentative, Ecological Stewardship
Workshop, Tucson, 1995; SRM Member,
1991-present; Peer reviewer, JRM, REM,
Rangelands, 1995-present;
SECTION ACTIVITIES: Past President of
Arizona Section and Chair of Nomination
Committee, 2004; President and Board
Member, 2003; 1st Vice-President and Board
Member, 2002; 2nd Vice-President and Board
Member, 2001; Public Affairs Reporter, 19962000; The University of Arizona URME
Coach, 1996-present;
STATEMENT BY LARRY HOWERY
SRM is the best-equipped natural resource
organization to balance traditional values with
non-traditional societal ideals and demands
on rangelands. SRM members care deeply
about sustainable rangeland stewardship to
benefit current and future generations locally,
nationally, and internationally.
Rangeland practitioners will always be
challenged with discovering creative solutions
to complex problems on rangeland
ecosystems “where the only constant is
change.” Diversity of thought and varied
approaches to leadership are strengths of
SRM as long as we remember that sound
science is our “true north.” We should
encourage collaborative thinking and seek to
find common ground with those with whom
we may disagree to make the best decisions
for the land. A creative mix of professional
judgment and common sense will also be
needed when making choices in the face of
uncertainty. SRM should support and reward
members who thoughtfully blend the art and
science of our discipline.
Credibility earned by individual SRM
members will systemically enhance our
Society’s reputation from its Sections to the
Parent Society. Retaining dedicated, topnotch professionals as long-term SRM
members is critical if we are to remain an
influential organization. We must also focus
our recruiting efforts on young professionals
who have an insatiable desire to be life-long
learners, who respectfully exchange ideas,
and challenge dogma.
Two invaluable
resources for recruitment and retention of
members are our students and the
decentralized, diversified, and potentially
powerful influence of our Sections. I would
be honored to serve on a team that is
dedicated to promoting SRM’s Vision and
Mission.
Richard A. Orr
Caliente, NV
EDUCATION: B.S. in Forestry with a Major
in Range Management, Univ. of Montana,
1976;
OCCUPATION: Rangeland Consulting for
the Nevada Sustainable Grazing Coalition;
Retired from 31 ½ years government
service; NRCS Area Conservationist, District
Conservationist/Resource Specialist and
prior BLM Range Conservationist/Range
Management Specialist/Supervisory Range
Conservationist and Assistant Field
Manager; born and raised on a cow calf
ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills;
SRM ACTIVITIES: Board of Directors,
2008–2010;
Leadership
Development
Committee, from inception through 2010
when sunsetted; Reno Annual Meeting
Planning Committee; Targeted Grazing
Committee, 2010 to present; SRM Member
since 1980;
SECTION ACTIVITIES:
NV Section
President, 1996; NV Section Rangeland
Professional of the Year, 2009; NV Section
Zone Councilman, 2012-Present; NV
Section Endowment Fund Chair, 1986Present; NV Youth Range Camp volunteer
cook, 9 years;
STATEMENT BY RICK ORR
I joined SRM being drawn to the values
placed on solving resource concerns and
diverse thought. I have observed a widening
disconnect between different SRM
membership segments. Although SRM has
many diverse methods to disseminate
knowledge and understanding of these
complex biological/ecological processes to
constituencies we work with closely, we also
have fallen short at effective communication
within our organization, the public at large,
and other scientific disciplines. My goal, if
elected, will be to pursue solutions to
communication gaps. We’ll maintain
professional and scientific relevance only
through our ability to educate, inform, work
Page 2
2015 Slate of Candidates for Office
with, communicate, partner, respect,
encourage, support, hold accountable,
understand, enlist, cooperate with and value
every person, member, segment, occupation,
and interest of the rangeland profession and
general public. To quote my high school Ag
instructor, “You can’t fix an engine if you don’t
know how it works. If you don’t know how it
works, you can’t find what’s wrong.” This
applies to SRM. Our research and scientific
knowledge is great, but until we work with,
communicate with, and enlist on-the-ground
producers, practitioners and publics to apply
this knowledge on pastures, allotments,
forests, or landscape scale, it provides the
resource no benefit-and we’ve accomplished
nothing. We need to improve our use of tools
such as the internet, our website,
representation to different organizations,
involvement of diverse partnerships, and
social media to reach out to and inform others
and our own members of what we are about
and the knowledge base that we have to
share. 
Candidates for SRM Directors:
Deal, Dobrowolski, Ford, Roath
Peter B. Deal
Palm Bay, FL
SRM ACTIVITIES: Member since 1992;
Advisory Committee Member; Co-chair of
Trade Show committee for the 2008 Annual
Meeting (Louisville, KY); Member of 2014
Planning Team (Orlando, FL);
STATEMENT BY PETE DEAL
I am honored to be nominated to serve on
the Board of Directors. If elected I will provide
a perspective from the rangelands of the
southeastern portion of North America.
The most important role of the SRM is to
help the members become better. As
individual SRM members we are good; we
are good researchers, conservationists,
stewards and communicators. As a Society
we are very good and we can be become
even better!
The SRM needs to provide opportunities
for learning and growth. Annual Meetings
provide a great deal of new information and
technical training sessions. This information
helps hundreds of our members who can
attend the meetings; however, it does not
help the members who lack the time and
resources to attend the Annual Meetings. We
need to embrace technology and widen the
audience for these learning events.
Membership is an issue that must always
be addressed. Like a bunchgrass, the SRM
must continue to grow or it will wither and
blow away in the winds of time. Our
membership must grow in diversity as well as
numbers. If the SRM stops trying to grow it
will surely fail.
One way for the SRM to grow and improve
is for individual members to ask themselves
this question, “What do I want from the
SRM?” The Board of Directors needs to hear
these answers in order to take appropriate
action. I certainly do not have all the answers;
however, I will listen to you and try to find the
answers.
EDUCATION: A.A.S., Sheridan College,
1989; B.S., University of Wyoming, 1992;
OCCUPATION:
Area
Rangeland
Management Specialist, USDA-Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),
Kissimmee, FL, 2006-present; State
Rangeland Management Specialist, USDANRCS, Gainesville, FL, 1996-2006; Area
Rangeland Management Specialist, USDANRCS, Palmetto, FL, 1993-1996; Rangeland
Management
Specialist,
USDA-Soil
Conservation Service (now NRCS), various
location in Wyoming, 1990-1993;
SECTION ACTIVITIES: Committee Member
Dr. James Dobrowolski
for Tri-State Meeting (WY Section);
Weems, VA
Committee Member, Director, Treasurer, EDUCATION: BS, Agronomy and Range
Secretary-Treasurer,
President-elect, Science (High Honors), University of
President (FL Section);
California at Davis, 1977; M.S., Rangeland
Ecology and Management, Washington
State University, 1979 (A numerical
taxonomic analysis of Agropyron spicatum
(Pursh) Scribn. & Smith: With special
reference to ecotypic variation – Grant A.
Harris, Major Professor); Ph.D., Watershed
Science and Management, Texas A&M
University, 1985 (Soil hydrologic changes
and nutrient flux following long-term burning
of a longleaf pine-bluestem association –
Wilbert H. Blackburn, Major Professor);
AGENCY ROLE: USDA-National Institute
of Food And Agriculture (2006 - Present); as
National Program Leader:
Continually
redeveloping, enumerating and managing
national programs in Rangeland and
Grassland Ecosystems, Fisheries and
Wildlife and Agricultural Water Security;
designed a USDA Research, Education and
Economics
Mission
Area
initiative
(Agricultural Water Security, portions rolled
out in 2006, 2008 and 2009; continue to
author and co-author peer-reviewed
manuscripts, technical white papers, and
agency documents that underpin policy at
the national level; co-lead NIFA’s Best Place
to Work Task Force, represent NIFA on
numerous cross-federal committees and
direct national USDA programming through
management and co-management of a
competitive and capacity grant portfolio in
excess of US$32 million; competitive
funding lines that I lead or manage include
the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
(AFRI) Water Challenge grants, Climate
Change
Beef/Rangeland Coordinated
Agricultural
Project
(CAP),
AFRI
Foundational Programs Agricultural Water
Science, Renewable Energy, Climate and
Environment (RENRE), National Integrated
Water Quality Program (NIWQP) National,
Watershed-scale Youth Education and
Conservation Effects Assessment Project
(CEAP) grants; Rangeland Research Grants
and Renewable Resource Extension Act
(RREA) National Focus Funds grants; noncompetitive Reimbursable Agreements,
Hatch Projects, RREA capacity grants;
represent NIFA on 17 multistate committees
and several government-wide committees
such as the Surface Water Availability and
Quality Subcommittee of CENRS (Executive
Branch Committee);
PAST
DEPARTMENTAL ROLE
–
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY:
(2000 – 2006) Extension Statewide
Watershed Extension Specialist and
Program Director of Outreach and Education
for the State of Washington Water Research
2015 Slate of Candidates for Office
Center; interest areas include surface
hydrology, riparian area and rangeland/forest
watershed restoration and management,
influence of invasive weeds on soil hydrologic
condition, wind and water erosion
management and the effects of agriculture on
anadromous fish populations;
PAST DEPARTMENTAL ROLE – UTAH
STATE UNIVERSITY:
(1985 – 2000)
Teaching, Research, and Extension in Arid
Lands Watershed Management, Semiarid
and Arid Land Hydrology, Riparian Area and
Watershed Restoration, Director of the
Watershed Science Unit (15 faculty, 35
students, B.S. through Ph.D., 4 years);
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
(Major
positions) National Program Leader for
Rangeland and Grassland Ecosystems,
Agricultural Water Security, Fisheries and
Wildlife, USDA -NIFA, Washington DC, 2006Present; National Program Leader for
Agricultural Water Security, One-Half Time
IPA, USDA-CSREES, Washington DC, 20052006; USDA CSREES Shared Faculty
Appointment in Agricultural Water Security,
Pullman and Washington DC, 2003-2005;
Tenured Associate Professor and State
Watershed Extension Specialist and Program
Director for Outreach and Education for the
Washington Water Research Center,
Rangeland Watershed Systems and
Rangeland Stewardship, Department of
Natural
Resource
Sciences
(NRS),
Washington State University, 2000-2006;
Tenured Associate Professor, Watershed
Science, Watershed Science Interdisciplinary
Unit and Rangeland Resources Department
(RLR), Utah State University, 1991-2000;
Director, Watershed Science Unit, Utah State
University, 1997-2000; Senior Fulbright
Scholar and Visiting Professor, Department of
Ecology
and
Pastoralism,
Institut
d'Agronomique et Veterinaire Hassan II,
Rabat, Morocco, 1993-1995; Assistant
Professor, Watershed Science, Utah State
University, Logan, 1985-1991; Director,
Watershed Science Unit, Utah State
University, 1988-1989; Teaching PostDoctoral Fellow and Research Assistant
Professor, Utah State University, Logan,
1984-1985; Tom Slick Agricultural Fellow,
Nutrient Cycling, Texas A&M University,
College Station, 1983-1985; W.G. Mills
Hydrology Fellow, Small Watershed
Hydrology, Texas A&M University, College
Station, 1981-1983;
HONORS AND CERTIFICATIONS: Multiple
Achievement awards and certifications issued
by USDA-NIFA and other federal agencies for
leadership efforts in a variety of task forces
Page 3
and initiatives, 2006-2013; Certified
Professional in Rangeland Management,
SRM, 2001-2013; Academic Representative,
Resource Advisory Council to the BLM and
US Forest Service 2002-2005; recognized by
WSU Extension as one of their 2004
additions to the WSU World Class Faculty
Representatives; Fulbright Fellow as a Senior
Scholar to the Kingdom of Morocco, Institut
Agronomique et Veterinaire 1993-95;
Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and
Research, SRM, 1993; Professor of the Year
1991, College of Natural Resources, Utah
State University; University Outstanding
Faculty Member, Utah State University, 1990;
Advisor of the Year 1989, College of Natural
Resources, Utah State University; Tom Slick
Fellow in Agriculture (Research), Texas A&M
University, 1983-85; W.G. Mills Fellow in
Hydrology
(Research),
Texas
A&M
University, 1983-85;
SRM ACTIVITIES: Undergraduate Range
Management Exam (URME) Coach 1983-84,
Texas A&M; 1985-1991 & 1998-2000, Utah
State; Member, Riparian Task Force;
Member, OPM Standards and Criteria Task
Force for the Range Conservationist (Series
454), 1991; Member, Future of Range
Management Education Task Group, SRM,
1990-94; Co-Inaugurated and Member,
Watershed/Riparian Committee (1985-2006),
Chair (1985-86, 1992-94); Member,
Accreditation
Committee
(2006-2007);
Member,
Annual
Meeting
Planning
Committee Vancouver, BC; Inaugurated and
Leader, Rangeland Extension Family
Meeting, SRM Annual Meetings (2006present); Developed, hosted, invited speaker
and moderator for many special symposia
and
hydrology/watershed/riparian
track
sessions of SRM meetings (1985-present);
Policy division--USDA-NIFA Liaison to the
Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI);
Graduate and undergraduate paper
competition judge;
SECTION ACTIVITIES: Membership-PNW
Palouse Chapter, (Officer), 1977-79 (PNW
Board Member, 2000-2006); CalPac, 197980; TX, 1981-1984; UT (SRM member to the
Utah Riparian Management Coalition), 19842000; National Capital, 2006-present;
Moderator, volunteer paper session, Utah
Section, SRM Annual Meeting (5 years);
Chair and charter member, Utah Riparian
Management Committee, Utah Section, SRM,
1988-89;
SRM-RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Member,
Range Science Education Council (RSEC),
1985-2006 (Secretary, Vice-chair and Chair
(1989-1991); USDA-NIFA Liaison to the
RSEC and Sustainable Rangeland
Roundtable (SRR); USDA-NIFA Liaison to
the Northeast Pasture Consortium; Member,
WCC-21 (Western Coordinating Committee
for Rehabilitation and Restoration of
Drastically Disturbed Lands), 1985-2006
(Chair 2004-2005); USDA-NIFA Liaison to
17 Range Science/Extension/Managementrelated Multistate Committees; Member,
Western Rangelands Partnership, 20002006; USDA-NIFA Liaison, 2006-present;
Member, Great Basin Research and
Management Partnership (GBRMP), 2006present;
Coordinating
Committee,
International Rangeland Congress (IRC)
Salt Lake City;
STATEMENT BY JIM DOBROWOLSKI
I am honored to be nominated for SRM’s
Board of Directors. Membership nationally
and with my home sections, Utah, Pacific
Northwest and now the National Capital,
remains an opportunity to connect with
colleagues about rangelands – a subject I
care about deeply. SRM has been an
essential part of my professional and
personal development since 1977. Friends
and some family are active members;
providing selfless examples of service and
leadership that I’ve tried to emulate.
I believe SRM’s strength lies with the
drive of its sections and chapters, and
passion of its members. SRM is recognized
as a source for scientific, technical and
educational knowledge about rangelands –
principally at local and regional levels. Our
abilities to coordinate and communicate
critical information about the need for
scientifically based decision making and
national rangeland management policy often
are met with challenges. We are asked to the
national decision making table if we speak
with a unified voice, with clearly articulated
knowledge and stand up for the state-of-thescience and management especially when it
underpins provocative issues.
SRM must build networks among national
staffers, agency and nongovernmental
leaders. When questioned about rangelands
– these decision makers should look to SRM
as a clearinghouse for decision support and a
pipeline to technical, management and
pragmatic experts. The recipe for being heard
by national leaders is the right-place/righttime,
and
solid,
brief,
articulate
communication. I would feel privileged to
provide assistance with national challenges
and a coordinated national perspective as we
move SRM into the future.
Page 4
2015 Slate of Candidates for Office
Timothy M. Ford
Hyde Park, UT
EDUCATION: Botany and Zoology major on
athletic scholarship, Southern Utah University
(1976-79); B.S., Range Science, Utah State
University (1982); M.S., Range Science, Utah
State University(1988); Holistic Resource
Management short course (1988);
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources, biological
technician; USDA Forest Service Research
(strip mining reclamation unit), range
technician; native seed company, (collector
and owner); Deseret Land and Livestock,
Division Manager; The Genesis Group, Inc.,
Vice President and Director of Research;
Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, Director of
Research (large global agribusiness, fertilizer
and seed); President and Director of
Research at Improving Perennial Plants for
Food and Bioenergy, Inc. (501.c.3 non-profit);
CURRENTLY:
Co-owner and V.P. of
Research at Pineview Farms, LLC,
headquartered near Huntsville, Utah
(purebred livestock production and plant
breeding);
SRM AND OTHER ACTIVITIES & AWARDS:
Life Member of SRM; President of the Utah
State University SRM Chapter; President of
the SRM Student Conclave (initiated the
URME contest at the national level);
participated in the SRM Plant ID contest for
two years; invited speaker at a joint UT/NV
Section SRM meeting; served on the SRM
Excellence
in
Range
Management
Committee; Student Affairs Committee
(Section & National); District Director for the
Utah Crop Improvement Association; Vice
President and Trustee for Sourdough
Wilderness Ranch; Agroforestry Landowner
of The Year Award from the Utah Division of
Natural Resources; Goodyear/NACD Award
of Merit for accomplishments in resource
conservation; serve on the Board of Directors
of the Northern Nut Growers Association;
serve on the Board of Directors of the Ogden
Nature Center; released and received Plant
Variety Protection for 32 plant varieties;
twenty-five scientific articles in peer reviewed
publications, as well as many other articles,
and co-author of a chapter in a book; member
of the American Angus Association; member
of the American Sheep Association and the
Utah Woolgrowers; Chapter President for the
National Wild Turkey Federation; Associate
plant breeder with the Canadian Seed
Growers Association; traveled extensively
throughout Central Asia and Russia and
currently involved with both scientific and
germplasm exchanges between countries;
STATEMENT BY TIM FORD
SRM membership has declined from
around 5,500 to about 3,000. The need to
expand our diversity as a society as well as
our international reach and influence is
paramount. We should be a society of
inclusion, not exclusion. We need more
mentoring, and members need more
recognition from employers for involvement in
SRM, keeping abreast of new science and
technology.
Approximately 50% of the earth’s terrestrial
surface is comprised of rangelands; much in
poor condition. The opportunity exists for the
SRM to take the lead with climate change and
future food shortages. Global issues which
will require global solutions; solutions which
will come in the face of increasing demands
being placed on rangelands. We need
improved, deeper rooted perennials; and to
keep rangelands in their rapid growth phase
as long as possible to sequester and fixate as
much carbon as possible, while enhancing
and improving watersheds. We must do a
better job getting our message out around the
world to fund long-term projects worldwide.
The SRM has much to offer in terms of
finding solutions to urgent global issues. My
experience in both the private and public
sectors, as an independent native seed
collector, small seed business owner, working
in both large and small production agriculture
and large agribusiness, makes me a uniquely
qualified candidate. Additionally, my depth
and breadth of experience in plant and animal
science, breeding and genetics, gives me a
good perspective for this position. I’ll have an
open ear and will always be listening and
learning.
Dr. L. Roy Roath
Fort Collins, CO
EDUCATION:
B.S., Fish & Wildlife
Management
and
M.S.,
Range
Management, Montana State University;
Ph.D., Range Science, Oregon State
University;
OCCUPATION: Retired Extension range
specialist, CSU, President of Rangelander
Education & Consulting, LLC;
SRM ACTIVITIES: Member since 1971;
Committees: Excellence in Grazing
Management, Wildlife Habitat, Student
Activities, Advisory Council, EVP Search,
and many more; General Co-Chair, 2010
Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Finance
Committee, Building Taskforce (Chair),
Sponsorship Committee (Co-chair);
SECTION ACTIVITIES: Producers Affairs,
Student Activities Committees, CO Section
President;
STATEMENT BY ROY ROATH
I have been a long-time supporter of the
Society for Range Management as the
paramount representative for the rangeland
management and science profession. As a
candidate for the Board of Directors I bring
more than 40 years of participation at every
level in SRM and a life-time’s experience in
the profession. I have chaired committees at
both the Section and National level, and
have been Colorado Section President and
Advisory Council Chair. I formed a team that
produced the highest attendance and most
profitable annual meeting and have been an
ad hoc advisor to several other annual
meeting committees. I currently sit on the
Finance committee representing both the
financial advisory capacity but also the
finance committee’s relationship to annual
meetings.
I have confidence that, if elected, I will
bring a thoughtful approach to policy
direction of the Society, couched in years of
experience and commitment to the
profession.