Staff
Meet Our Team
Serving WHF in a leadership role since 2016, Garry works closely with landowners, local governments and partner organizations to optimize the benefits of conservation management and restoration of wildlife habitats. Prior to joining WHF, Garry served the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for nearly 30 years, both as a district conservationist, responsible for all conservation programs within a 4-county area, as well as a wildlife biologist for a 52-county work area in south Texas. He has managed working lands in Texas and Arkansas for wildlife and livestock interests. Garry represents WHF on the NRCS State Technical Advisory Committee to the state conservationist, is a member of the NRCS State Technical Committee Wildlife sub-committee, and serves on the Audubon Texas Conservation Ranching Committee advisory committee. He holds a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University.
Garry.Stephens@whf-texas.org
Gretta manages all administrative and financial operations for WHF. Since 2013, she has directed information technology accounting for the organization, integrating all outreach and data tracking of conservation activities. Gretta administers project budgets and funding for all private, state, and federal awards as well as on-the-ground project implementation. Prior to joining WHF, she led accounting and wildlife management of a 600-acre horse and livestock ranch for 26 years. Gretta holds a BS in Chemistry from Fort Lewis College.
Gretta.Sleeper@whf-texas.org
Will plans, inventories, implements, monitors, and accelerates conservation programs tailored to specific soil types and wildlife habitats for landowners, with a keen interest in adaptive grazing and regenerative ranching. A fourth-generation landowner, Will uses sustainable techniques to mimic the natural movements of grazers on his property. He applies these tried-and-true holistic management methods, alongside focused technical assistance to accomplish ecosystem-enhancing objectives on working lands. Will holds a BS in English Literature from Trinity University.
Will.Kearney@whf-texas.org
Coleman plans, inventories, implements, monitors, and accelerates conservation programs as part of WHF’s NRCS Texas Conservation Program Agreement. His work helps historically underserved and small acreage landowners in portions of the five counties that lie within the Colorado River watershed (Blanco, Burnet, Hays, Llano, and Travis), and benefits aquatic species in the lower Colorado, Brazos, and San Bernard River systems. Prior to joining WHF, Coleman served as a soil conservationist with NRCS and brings practical experience in fisheries biology and wildlife conservation biology. Coleman’s experience in soil, water, and livestock/wildlife stewardship brings landowners a comprehensive approach to their conservation planning efforts. He holds a BS in Natural Resource Management from Texas Tech University.
Coleman.Stilwell@whf-texas.org
Schyler plans, inventories, implements, monitors and accelerates conservation planning efforts in the upper Texas Gulf Coast region, with a focus on the greater Houston area. Prior to joining WHF, she assisted with habitat management at Coastal Prairie Conservancy, managed natural areas as conservation intern with Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and participated in habitat conservation along riparian corridors and related Monarch butterfly pathways as an intern with the City of San Marcos. Schyler holds a PSM in Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Management from Texas Tech University and a BGS in Nature and Heritage Tourism, Animal Science, and Criminal Justice from Texas State University.
Sky.Rhea@whf-texas.org
Kayla plans, inventories, implements, monitors and accelerates conservation planning efforts in the upper Texas Gulf Coast region as part of WHF’s Texas Coastal Prairie Initiative (TCPI) Agreement with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. Prior to joining WHF, Kayla was a bilingual environmental educator for the City of Edinburg in Hidalgo County, an environmental consultant helping clients balance the stewardship of natural resources and growth of infrastructure via environmental compliance and monitoring in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Starr Counties. Kayla holds a B.S. in Rangeland & Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University Kingsville. Kayla has conducted research on forage yields in response to varying resting intervals in central Texas and is working towards her M.S. degree in Population and Conservation Biology.
Ron plans, inventories, implements, monitors and accelerates conservation planning efforts in the upper Texas Gulf Coast region as part of WHF’s Texas Coastal Prairie Initiative (TCPI) Agreement with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. Prior to joining WHF, Ron was a fisheries biologist for a lake and fisheries management company managing private lakes statewide. Ron has had the distinct privilege to work for several wildlife research institutes during his collegiate career including Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and Borderlands Research Institute, focusing on upland gamebird ecology. He also has experience in the environmental consulting field; conducting wetland delineations, biological field surveys, and threatened and endangered species impact assessments. Ron holds a B.S. in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University- Kingsville.
Anne specializes in the engagement and stewardship of donors and partners with the mission of WHF. She previously held fundraising management roles at the global nonprofit Textile Exchange and at Memorial Park Conservancy, working alongside professionals dedicated to restoring biodiversity in Houston’s 1,500-acre wilderness park. Anne is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and an advocate for connecting people with opportunities to protect and preserve our shared environments, for all people. She holds a BA in Anthropology and Film Studies from the University of Kansas.
Anne.Vance@whf-texas.org