Board of Directors

The business and affairs of the Foundation are managed by an independent Board of Directors. The Board consists of no less than three nor more than twenty-one members, each elected for a three-year term. The board meets as needed to conduct the affairs of the Foundation. Click here to learn more about the Board Structure and Committees.

Steve Swindle • President, 2002

Steve is the managing partner of Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall and McCarthy; President of the Utah Wetlands Foundation; past Board Member and President of the Legal Center for the Handicapped and the Columbus Training Center; former member of the Utah Arts Festival, the Utah Endowment for the Humanities, Ballet West Boards and former Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Steve is a graduate of the University of Utah with Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration Degrees. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree at the University of California, Berkley.

“I have been a Board member of the Utah Wildlife and Conservation Foundation since its formation and currently serve as its President. The mission and stated goals of the Foundation are sound and compelling and I feel privileged to be in a position with other dedicated Board members and volunteers to promote the conservation of the Great Salt Lake eco-system and to use our efforts to ensure the future of our state’s diverse native wildlife."

Dr. Maunsel Pearce • Vice President, 2002

Maunsel is a retired Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon and founder of Western Cardiovascular Associates; Trustee of the Utah Chapter The Nature Conservancy; Past President of the Utah Wetlands Foundation; Chairman of the Great Salt Lake Alliance; former member of the Utah Habitat Council and Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. Maunsel earned his MD from the Tulane University School of Medicine; General Surgery Residency from Tulane Division-Charity Hospital of New Orleans and Thoracic-Cardiovascular Surgery Residency from the University of Utah/ LDS Hospitals.

“I offered to help co-found the Utah Wildlife and Conservation Foundation because I am committed to protecting Utah's wildlife and habitats.”

Kevan Talbot • Treasurer/Secretary, 2008

Kevan is the Chief Financial Officer of Sportsman’s Warehouse Inc.; member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants and a Licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Utah. Kevan earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Accountancy Degrees from Brigham Young University.

“I serve on the Board because I believe strongly in the mission of the Foundation and know that it will have a significant, positive impact in wildlife in the state of Utah.  As an avid outdoorsman, I want the beauty and variety of Utah's wildlife and environment to be preserved not only for my children but also for future generations to enjoy as well.”

Robert Springmeyer • Past President, 2005

Bob is the founder and owner of Bonneville Research, a Salt Lake based consulting business; has served on, chaired, directed, founded and coached various organizations including: Ronald McDonald House of Utah; Henry’s Fork Foundation; FITKIDS; Salt Lake City Redevelopment Advisory Committee; United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation; Salt Lake Visitors and Convention Bureau and Mountain West Venture Club. Bob is a graduate of the University of Utah, with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Economics and Political Science. He has a certificate in international relations and did his graduate study in business administration.

“Growing up in Utah, I had many opportunities to do and see many extraordinary things. As an Eagle Scout, as a ski racer and ski instructor, as a mountaineer, while hunting and fishing with my father, I had many life forming experiences. None, however, have been as important as the opportunities I have had sharing these same wilderness and wildlife experiences with my children and grandchildren. I serve on the UWIN Board to help provide that type of opportunity to as many of our next generations of Utahns as possible.”

Robert Valentine • Director, 2002

Bob is the retired manager of Thiokol Corporation’s Navy Strategic Program; former Army National Guard Colonel; member of the Brigham City Council; Chairman of  the Box Elder County Commission; Utah Reclamation, Mitigation and Conservation Commission Commissioner; former Box Elder County Economic Development Director; former Director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; former Chairman of Ducks Unlimited; previous Chairman of the Utah Wildlife Board; member of the Friends of Bear River Refuge and past President of the Utah Wetlands Foundation. Bob attended Utah State University and graduated from the U.S. Army Commander and General Staff College.

“I have a longstanding and deep regard for wildlife. I see my membership on the Foundation’s Board as an opportunity to help Utah’s wildlife, particularly that group of species in most need of our support.”

Nat Frazer • Director, 2008

Nat is the Dean of the College of Natural Resources at Utah State University and has been an instructor, professor, chair and dean of various universities; served as Conservation Fellow for the St. Louis Zoo; member of the Public Policy Committee for the Council of Environmental Deans and Directors; Chair of USU Sustainability Council;  Board Member of the Stokes Nature Center; Steering Committee member for Envision Cache Valley and Life Member of the Wildlife Institute and Florida Wildlife Federation.  Nat earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Ecology at the University of Georgia and Master of Arts Degree in History and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Springfield.  He has also completed a Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Policy and Ocean Management at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

“I joined the Board because I recognized the need to support native Utah wildlife and their habitats and to mobilize all Utahn’s in helping ensure their future.”

Al Trout • Director, 2008

Al is retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after a thirty-five year career in the National Wildlife Refuge System. He retired as the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Manager where he orchestrated the restoration of the refuge’s flood damaged infrastructure and oversaw the fundraising, construction and operation of the refuge’s new Wildlife Education Center. He has been a rural school board member and serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Bear River Refuge. Al graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management.

“I joined the Foundation because of a desire to be involved with a unique conservation effort for species across the State that are currently receiving little attention.  I desired to work as part of a private organization with other committed volunteers who give their time and resources toward preservation of wildlife.“

Bill Fenimore • Director, 2008

Bill is former President of Horizon Snack Foods Transportation and Distribution Company and Chief Operating Officer of Horizon Snack Foods; today, he is the owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center; has held Board and Trustee positions with the Swaner Eco Center; Ogden Nature Center, Wasatch Audubon, Enable Industries, Great Salt Lake Bird Festival; Utah Waterfowl Association and the Rich County Cooperative Resource Management Committee; Vice Chair of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Northern Regional Advisory Council and Utah Audubon Council Policy Advocate. Bill is author of Backyard Birds of Utah and the 50 U.S. state Backyard Birds Guide series; recipient of the 2008: “Ludlow Griscom and Roger Tory Peterson” national awards given by the American Birding Association and Roger Tory Peterson Natural History Institute and the International Franchisee of the Year 2008 from the International Franchise Association (IFA). He received his undergraduate and Master Degree in Business Administration from America University.

“I accepted an invitation to join the Board because of my desire to see a full suite of native wildlife in Utah and to be part of a foundation whose work will provide funding for wildlife projects that will enhance and support diverse populations of native wildlife for all to enjoy and value.” 

Jim Karpowitz • Director, 2008 

Jim has worked for the Division of Wildlife Resources since 1978 and is currently its Director; he is also a Commissioner of the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission; a member of the North American Wetland Conservation Council and Executive Secretary of the Utah Wildlife Board. Jim graduated from Brigham Young University with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology and his Masters of Science in Wildlife and Range Resources.

“As Director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, one of my initiatives was to help find alternative funding sources for the conservation of native species in Utah. I believe the Foundation will become a great new source of funding for the native species listed in our Wildlife Action Plan. I also think a close association between the DWR and the Foundation is important to the success of both organizations.” 

Commissioner Louenda Downs • Director, 2009

Louenda is a Davis County Commissioner; former Chairwoman of the Davis Board of Education; Davis Education Foundation Partnership Coordinator and Assistant Director; Chairwoman of Davis Hospital and Medical Center Board; a teacher for seven years and a professional musician for over 30 years. Louenda is a graduate of Weber State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in art and music.

“I have a keen interest in the preservation of Utah's native wildlife and a passion for the promotion and forward movement of wildlife conservation efforts in the state of Utah and Davis County.  My participation on the Foundation Board is a perfect fit for fueling this passion.” 

Lynn de Freitas • Director, 2009

Lynn is the Executive Director of Friends of the Great Salt Lake; former Library Media Coordinator for Jackson Elementary, South High School and Rowland Hall-St. Marks. She has served on the Great Salt Lake Water Quality Steering Committee; the Great Salt Lake Alliance; Legacy Nature Preserve Advisory Committee; Governor Huntsman's Great Salt Lake Advisory Council and the Tooele Valley Wetlands Special Area Management Plan and Salt Lake County Shorelands Planning Processes. Lynn is the recipient of the Calvin K. Sudweeks Award for outstanding contributions in the water quality field in the State of Utah and the Utah Environmental Educator Volunteer of the Year Award from the Utah Society for Environmental Education. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Montclair State College and Masters of Education in Educational Systems and Learning Resources from the University of Utah.

“I joined the Foundation because I believe in its mission and want to help ensure the future of native Utah wildlife and help promote the conservation of the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem. Both of these areas need supporting research, conservation and education to ensure their sustainability for future generations.” 

Hal Christensen • Director, 2009

Hal is the President of Christensen+Associates Inc., a marketing consultant company; former employee of SC Johnson, HJ Heinz, Idahoan Foods and FJC&N Partner and Brand Force; a member of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and served on the executive committee for the Board of Directors for the Days of '47. Hal received his Bachelor of Art in Communication at Brigham Young University and his Master of Science in Advertising/Marketing at Northwestern University.

“I joined the Board because I realized there was a need to protect threatened and often forgotten wildlife species in the state of Utah. The Foundation addressed this important, unmet need with complimentary, not competitive or duplicative, efforts with other nonprofit wildlife organizations.” 

Representative Roger Barrus • Director, 2009

Roger is a member of the Utah House of Representatives; Chairman of the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee; member of the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; retired Questar Gas management team and owner of his own manufacturing and sales business. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Engineering from Utah State University.

Brad Barber • Director, 2009

Brad is the owner and operator of Barber Consulting, LLC.; former Deputy Director/State Planning Coordinator developing the State Planning and Land Conservation Program; Senior Fellow at the Oquirrh Institute implementing projects that demonstrate best practices in environmental management; commissioner of the Utah Reclamation, Mitigation and Conservation Commission; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Utah Open Lands Conservation Association and member of the Steering Committee of Envision Utah.  Brad earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics at Weber State University and his Masters in Natural Resource Economics at the University of Utah.

“I joined the Foundation to fulfill my desire to assist in the enhancement and conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat throughout Utah.”