FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. James Triplett-Director
Dr. James Triplett is a University Professor at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. He served as the Chairman of the Department of Biology. Jim is active in water quality related programs within Kansas as well as other states. He has authored numerous technical articles about water quality related topics. He also is active within the scientific community that focuses on water quality. His activities include the formation and training of citizen-based organizations within specific watersheds. He has served in leadership roles in watershed organizations. Dr. Triplett received his Ph.D from the University of Kansas.

James Corbridge Jr -Director
James Corbridge Jr. is currently a Professor of Law Emeritus and Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Colorado Boulder. He has served as a Professor of Law and Chancellor at the University of Colorado. His special interests include Water Law, Natural Resource Law, and International Water Management. He serves on the Advisory Board, Journal of International Law; Advisory Board of Denver University Water Law Review; and serves on the Board of Director, Natural Resources Law Center, University of Colorado at Boulder. Jim received his L.L. B. degree from Yale Law School. He currently resides in the Grand Lake area and serves with water quality related organizations and is a member of civic organizations. Jim also serves the Foundation as Chairman of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

Robert L. Nichols-Director
Robert L. Nichols is a professional engineer receiving his M. S. Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A & M University. His distinguished engineering career includes recognition for environmental engineering projects, water quality management programs and for his efforts in water pollution control. He is President Emeritus for a consulting engineering firm and also serves as the Executive Director for the Webb City, Missouri Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Nichols has been active in water quality interests in southwest Missouri.

Tom Collinson-Director
Tom Collinson is former newspaper owner and publisher of the newspaper in Pittsburg, Kansas. He is a graduate of Kansas University majoring in geology. Tom currently serves on the Kansas Geological Survey Advisory Board and serves on the Kansas University Alumni Board. He was president of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce and served as president of the Rotary Club.

Dr. Patrick D. Larkey-Director
Dr. Patrick D. Larkey currently is President, The Center for Useful Performance Statistics. LLC. He serves as Adjunct Professor of Public Policy, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Dr. Larkey retried from Carnegie Mellon University where he was Professor of Public Policy and Decision-making at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA and other positions at Carnegie Mellon including Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Department Head for Social Sciences. He is a published author of books and articles. Pat received his Ph.D Public Policy from the University of Michigan as well as his Master of Public. He received his B.A. Degree from Stanford University. He currently resides in the Bella Vista, Arkansas area.

Drew Holt-Vice-Chairman
Drew Holt currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. He also is Chair of the Foundation’s Watershed Plan Committee. He is the Executive Director of the Elk River Watershed Improvement Association that serves the Elk River Watershed, a subwatershed of the Grand Lake Watershed. He also serves as a technical advisor to the Upper Shoal Creek Watershed Improvement Group. Drew holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration/Urban and Regional Planning from Missouri State University. Drew has worked for public and non-profit organizations in the Ozarks on water quality and waste management issues for more than 25 years.

Rick Hines-Director
Rick Hines is an Attorney At Law whose law office is located in Erie, Kansas. His legal practice involves numerous areas relating to water law, including representing over 45 rural water districts, and 8 Public Wholesale Water Supply Districts. His water law practice includes environmental and pollution issues, irrigation rights, water contracts and procurement, and eminent domain. Rick received a B.A. from Pittsburg State University in Political Science and History, post-graduate work at the University of Missouri, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.

Carl Metcalf-Chairman of Board
Carl Metcalf currently serves as Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors. Carl is a retired AT&T executive who lived and worked in Kansas City, MO. His duties as Director of Customer Service for AT&T covered the four watershed states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Carl is active in numerous civic organizations in northeast Oklahoma and now lives in the Grand Lake area. He is a graduate of Rockhurst University earning a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Rick Littlefield-Director
Rick Littlefield is a business owner who is a lifetime resident of the Grand Lake area. He previously has served 22 years in the Oklahoma Legislature with 10 years in the House of Representatives and 12 years in the Oklahoma State Senate. In the Senate, he was the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for Natural Resources. His Senate responsibilities included direct contact with Oklahoma’s environmental related agencies. Rick performed similar responsibilities. His legislative tenure includes experience in water quality environs. Rick is a graduate of Northeastern Oklahoma A & M. College.

Pete Churchwell-Executive Committee Chairman
Pete Churchwell currently serves as Chair of the Foundation’s Executive Committee. Pete is a former Chief Executive Officer for a major untility Public Service of Oklahoma. He is a graduate of the University of Tulsa. He currently resides in the Grand Lake area and is active in several civic organizations. His interests include fishing.

Roger A. Norbeck
Roger A. Norbeck resides in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and has been active in local government and civic organizations in northwest Arkansas. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin majoring in economics. He had a 32-year career with Pfizer in pharmaceutical management. His avocation is Limnology-study of inland waters. He is active in water quality improvement associations within Missouri and Arkansas.

Larry Herrelson –Director
Charles Larry Herrelson is a native Kansan who grew up in southeast Kansas where he became a business owner. He later moved to the Grand Lake area and continued in several business interests. Larry is a graduate of the University of Kansas, is active in civic organizations, and enjoys fishing. Mr. Herrelson was a founding member of the Foundation and has served as a Foundation Board Member.

John Gillette-President
John Gillette is a native Oklahoman who currently serves as Foundation president. He resides in the Grand Lake area. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma receiving a Master of Business Administration. John served 30 years as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. His background includes business owner, corporate general manager, and criminal investigator. John is a member of several civic organizations.

Dr. Darrell Townsend–Ex-officio Director
Dr. Darrell Townsend is an ex-officio member of the Foundation Board of Directors. He serves as Director of Ecosystems Management for the Grand River Dam Authority, Vinita, Oklahoma. Darrell received his Ph.D from Oklahoma State University. He has published articles in scientific publications. His experience includes serving as adjunct college faculty.

OFFICERS
Carl Metcalf, Chairman
John Gillette, President
Robin White, Executive Vice-President
Patricia Brandon, CPA, Treasurer

SPECIAL STAFF
Sam Grasso, Conservationist