Staff & Board of Directors

The Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma Board of Directors is prepared to fulfill the mission of the organization by advocating for good conservation policy. We are dedicated sportsmen, conservationists, and outdoor educators.

There are several decades of service on our board and we hope to add even more qualified individuals to help us support good conservation policy and the next generation of conservationists.

KIMBERLY WINTON Ph.D., BOARD CHAIR

​Kim was born and raised in Oklahoma. She learned to hunt and fish at a very young age, and her career goals and education have always included environmental issues.

​Anything outdoors, fishing, gardening, training dogs, horses, and donkeys, captures her interest. She has trained Search and Rescue dogs, hunting dogs, retrieving dogs, and has many National Champion Miniature Donkeys.

She has degrees in Zoology and Secondary Education from Oklahoma State University and gained her Ph.D. in Agronomy (Weed Science) at the University of Arkansas.

Kim brings technical expertise to the CCO with areas of expertise in agronomic practices and eco-chemistry of pesticides in groundwater; contamination/remediation related to surface water flow, groundwater and water quality, and program management.

She retired as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, South Central Climate Science Center after a regional director position with the USGS and earlier career positions working on groundwater risk management, eco-chemistry, and herbicides.

Now retired from the USGS, Kim serves CCO because it is an excellent opportunity to use her decades of expertise to educate the public and translate difficult science and policy issues for the people of Oklahoma.

​RON SUTTLES, BOARD VICE CHAIR
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Ron grew up on a farm in Kansas as the son of parents who both came from farming families. He milked cows, fed livestock, worked the fields, harvested crops, drove a tractor, and hunted and fished.
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​A science teacher at Enid high school inspired him to pursue a career in environmental biology and, after attending college in Oklahoma, he went on to a 35-year career in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation as a fisheries technician, environmental biologist, and supervisor of wildlife diversity, education, and environmental programs.

It was clear to him that an organizing force in the nonprofit sector was needed to help conservation interests interact more effectively with each other and with decision-makers in government and the legislature. The creation of the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, was the culmination of Ron’s 50 years of conservation experience in Oklahoma.

The emergence of the Coalition as an effective conservation voice in Oklahoma is something that is not only exciting but also personally gratifying for Ron.

TOMMY TURNER, BOARD SECRETARY/TREASURER & LEGISLATIVE CHAIR 

Tommy is the school superintendent for Battiest Schools in Southeast Oklahoma.  He has been an educator for many years and is passionate about education and conservation.  He enjoys spending time with his family and horses and spending as much time as possible outdoors. Tommy serves as the legislative chair for the CCO and is also on the advisory board for the Oklahoma Rural School Coalition.  When not working on school business, he can often be found working with legislators to support education and conservation efforts. 

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JAKE MILLER, BOARD MEMBER

​Jake is the co founder of Heirloom Rustic Ales as well as one of the organizers of Lagerland Festival held each year the the Philbrook Museum.  He has been active in conservation efforts throughout his life, is passionate about fishing and spending time with his friends and family. 

JOHN GRAY, BOARD MEMBER, FUNDRAISING CHAIR
John G. Gray is the owner of JGray’s Estate Firearm Services, a Tulsa-based business specializing in estate firearm appraisals, sales, and compliance support. With more than 20 years of experience in the firearms and outdoor industry, John helps clients and fiduciaries responsibly manage firearm assets through expert guidance and ATF-compliant services.
A lifelong Tulsan, John holds a degree in management with a specialization in business law from the University of Tulsa. He also serves as a commercial realtor with McGraw Commercial Properties, bringing professionalism and client-focused service to both real estate and specialty asset markets. As Co-Trustee of The Richard K. Lane and Ruth S. Lane Memorial Trust, John helps oversee multimillion-dollar charitable assets in collaboration with MidFirst Bank, supporting institutions such as the University of Tulsa and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. He is also a former member of the University of Tulsa Alumni Board, continuing to support his alma mater through philanthropy and outreach.
In addition to serving on the CCO Board as Fundraising Chair, John is deeply involved in the community, serving as a Board Member and Infrastructure and Risk Management Committee Chair for The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, a volunteer leader with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation–Tulsa Sooner Chapter, Tulsa Bird Dog Association, and a Charter Member of the Saint Simeon’s Guild. He is a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and remains committed to the values of service, stewardship, and community.
John lives in Tulsa with his wife, Danielle Gray, an ER and trauma nurse, and their three beloved hunting dogs. Together, they share a love for the outdoors, public service, and the Tulsa community.​

Jim Grant, BOARD MEMBER
Jim Grant is the Director of Exploration and New Ventures at Continental Resources, where he leads strategic initiatives in energy development, including emerging opportunities in geothermal. With a background spanning both domestic and international exploration, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge from the oil and gas sector, along with valuable insight into the future of sustainable energy.
As an avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time in nature—interests that align closely with the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma’s mission to protect water, wildlife, and habitat. He is committed to advancing common-sense conservation solutions that reflect the realities of both energy production and environmental stewardship.
Jim lives in Oklahoma with his wife and two daughters.

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MICHAEL PATTON, BOARD MEMBER, REPRESENTATIVE FROM
​MEMBER ORGANIZATION LAND LEGACY

Michael Patton is a lifelong Tulsan whose obsession with saving the Earth has led him down many paths. He organized a litter cleanup at age 11 for the first Earth Day in 1970 and became vigilant in convincing people to join him. His career led to non-profit work doing hazardous waste collection events, building recycling businesses throughout Oklahoma, writing and producing air quality commercials, and publishing about composting. He has served on many boards including Up With Trees, The Garden Center, Oklahoma Recycling Association and the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma. His current job is Executive Director of Land Legacy and does conservation easements to build urban parks and save family farms.

MARY JACKSON, BOARD MEMBER, REPRESENTATIVE FROM
MEMBER ORGANIZATION TULSA AUDOBON SOCIETY

Mary has been a member of the conservation community for many years.  She currently serves on the Tulsa Audubon Society board of directors as their treasurer and she is also the chair of their Flycatcher Trail committee. 

​MATT WRIGHT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Matt, a fifth-generation Oklahoman, grew up in Poteau, where he spent countless hours exploring the Kiamichi Mountains, hunting, and fishing with his family. His father—a lifelong advocate for conservation in Oklahoma—not only instilled in him a deep appreciation for the outdoors but also a strong sense of responsibility to protect these vital natural resources.

Matt attended Oklahoma State University, where he stretched a four-year degree into five and a half, enjoying the journey along the way. After graduating in 1994, he entered the construction industry, eventually joining Burgess Construction Company in 2005 and becoming its owner in 2010. At the end of 2023, Matt sold the business to dedicate himself fully to conservation and spend more time with his family.
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Now living in Noble with his wife and three children, Matt combines his professional experience—ranging from product consultation and contract negotiation to his personal passions like fly fishing and turkey hunting—to drive impactful conservation work. As Executive Director of the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma, he is committed to protecting the state’s woods, waters, and wildlife, ensuring that his children and future generations can enjoy them just as he and previous generations have.

STEVE BENDER, NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS

S​​teve is a teacher and a wildlife biologist by training and education. He has worked as a biology teacher, private lands biologist, statewide planner for non-game species, and a nonprofit strategist and advisor.

Steve currently works in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the National Wildlife Federation as a Director of Conservation Partnerships. He partners with the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma and acts as an advisor to the group and as a liaison between the Coalition and the National Wildlife Federation.