Rebecca Mowry – President-Elect
Rebecca Mowry has worked as the Bitterroot-area wildlife biologist with Montana FWP since 2014. She came to Montana via Texas Parks and Wildlife, University of Idaho (B.S.), and University of Missouri (M.S.), as well as a dozen or so odd tech jobs ranging from woodpeckers in the Black Hills to grizzly bears in Yellowstone. Rebecca was also your Montana Chapter secretary from 2020-2022, and is a TWS Leadership Institute alumnus (class of 2016).
Having served on the MTTWS board recently, Rebecca understands the challenges with making MTTWS more impactful and accessible to professionals and students. She would especially like to increase the Chapter’s influence on current political and conservation issues, hoping to lean heavily on National TWS to change things for the better for Montana wildlife and its stewards.
When not fielding hunter phone calls, catching bighorn sheep, or mentoring local high school and college students, Rebecca enjoys doodling wildlife on meeting agendas (some of which become MTTWS t-shirts), writing novels, and backpacking the nearby wildernesses with her dog Willow.
Katie Benzel – President
Katie Benzel is a Wildlife Biologist for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Dillon Field Office. Growing up in Dillon, she spent her free time in the mountains where she cultivated respect and appreciation for the outdoors and wildlife. She attended Colorado State University for 2 ½ years before transferring to the University of Montana and graduating with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology in 2004. To diversify her knowledge of range management and wildlife habitat, she completed a M.S. in Range Science from Montana State University in 2008. Throughout undergrad and grad school she worked as a seasonal wildlife technician for the Forest Service and BLM. She has been in her current position since 2008.
Katie believes that public lands are essential, and she is grateful to work on the landscape that is deeply important to her. As a Wildlife Biologist for the BLM, she advocates for wildlife and habitat while navigating the complexities of managing multiple use public lands. Communication
and willingness to hear all perspectives is required. Over the years she has worked with several
agencies, groups, and private landowners covering a variety of species including amphibians, carnivores, big game, pygmy rabbits, raptors, sage grouse, migratory birds, and pollinators.
Katie would enjoy the opportunity to be MT TWS President to work with new wildlife colleagues in the state and expand her experience and knowledge. She continues to spend her free time in the mountains hiking, skiing, running, hunting, and camping.
Chad Bishop – Past President
Chad is the Director and Professor of the Wildlife Biology Program at University of Montana. He just completed service as Past President of the National Association of University Fisheries and Wildlife Programs, and previously served five years on the Executive Board of the Colorado Chapter of The Wildlife Society and as President in 2004. He has been a member of The Wildlife Society since 1996 and is presently a member of the Biometrics, Native People’s Wildlife Management, and Nutritional Ecology Working Groups. Prior to his work at UM, he worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife as the Assistant Director of Wildlife and Natural Resources (2012-2015), Mammals Research Leader (2009-2012), and Wildlife Researcher (1999-2009). He earned degrees in wildlife biology from Montana State University (BS, 1995), University of Idaho (MS, 1998), and Colorado State University (PhD, 2007).
Heather Harris – Treasurer
Heather was born and raised in Northern Ontario, Canada, spending most of her time outdoors where she developed an interest in wildlife and conservation. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Trent University and a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Mississippi State University.
She started her career with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) in 2014 as the Region 6 Nongame/Furbearer Biologist. In this role she gained a deep appreciation for the grassland and sagebrush ecosystems and their associated species. In summer of 2021 she transitioned to the statewide Grassland/Wetland Coordinator for FWP based in Glasgow. In this role she works with private landowners, FWP staff, state wildlife agencies, federal partners, and NGO’s to deliver conservation programs, with a focus on supporting sustainable ranching operations. She has been a member of TWS for over 10 years and is involved with multiple TWS working groups. In her 10-year career with FWP, she has witnessed the tireless conservation efforts of wildlife professionals and the role TWS plays in not only promoting wildlife conservation but also serving as a venue for exchanging ideas and forming collaborations. She would like to serve as treasurer to contribute to these efforts.
In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, birding, dog training, and hunting with her cocker spaniel, Riggs.
Brandi Skone – Secretary
Originally from western Pennsylvania, Brandi received her Bachelors in Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University (2004). She worked for the next six years as a technician and crew lead with multiple organizations including U.S. Geological Survey, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife, Virginia Tech, and Science Applications International, moving her way west with each job, before earning her M.S. in Biological Sciences from Montana State University (2014). Since 2014, she has worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a nongame biologist in southeast Montana where she resides with her husband and ever-growing farm of animals. Brandi has always enjoyed participating in the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society. She is running for secretary to take a more invested role, learn how things work behind the scenes, and give back to such a great organization.