Board Nominees 2022
Vote for your Board Nominees at the February 26, 2022 Annual Meeting
Mike Appel
Along with my partner Emily Oakley, I own and operate Three Springs Farm, a diversified, certified organic vegetable farm on Spring Creek near the town of Oaks. Since moving to our farm in 2006, I have come to have a deep appreciation for Spring Creek. I enjoy its beauty year-round – swimming it's cool, refreshing water daily in the summer and finding peace sitting on its banks during colder months. I have a profound respect and appreciation for the work of the Spring Creek Coalition. I have been involved with SCC for over 15 years, as a life-member and as a past board member, and I have experienced first-hand the truly invaluable contributions SCC makes to our community. In order to keep Spring Creek pristine and healthy, it takes protection and vigilance from all citizens who care about the creek. I hope my 9-year-old daughter and future generations will be able to continue to enjoy the beauty of Spring Creek and hope to join the board to continue the tradition of community-based protection.
Chris Beckwith
Chris Beckwith lives in Tulsa and runs a Broken Arrow based company in the outdoor recreation industry. He brings a background in some of the technical and policy issues facing the Spring Creek watershed. He holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a law degree with an emphasis in Natural Resources law. Chris owns land on Snake Creek, a tributary of Spring Creek in Mayes County, that is enrolled in a pollinator habitat program.
Russell Hays
I am an electrician/maintenance technician by trade, and have pretty much lived my whole life on Spring Creek. In fact, I'm a fourth generation to live on the same allotted Indian land that Spring Creek runs across. And now my children and grandchildren get to enjoy the same creek.
I live on the upper end of Spring Creek and have seen many changes. Unfortunately, most are not good. Recently we've been fighting to keep the chicken housing at bay up this way. But I tell you my friends, the chicken houses are not our only problem. There are many more problems our creek faces.
Problems such as deforestation. With massive removal of forests up and down the creek, we now have a problem with massive rain runoff. This in turn causes bank erosion. The creek is now only about half as deep and twice as wide.
There are many answers to our problems that are taking place on Spring Creek, and I believe that if we fight to solve these problems, we will not only save Spring Creek, but we will be leaders and show examples to protect all the streams in Green Country. As a board member, I will gladly serve and fight for our beautiful Spring Creek.
Sandy whitekiller
I am honored to be recommended to serve as a board member for SCC.
I have lived along Spring Creek for 21 years and have been involved with the Coalition in cleanups, tree planting, and water testing.
I see the changes in Spring Creek and know the Coalition is vital for a sustainable healthy waterway.
David Martinez - For a 2nd term
David is a conservation biologist with a long-standing interest in the ecology of Spring Creek. He began studying the fishes of eastern Oklahoma streams more than 40 years ago and was amazed by the diverse fish community of Spring Creek. He has encouraged other scientists to document, with landowner permission, the creek’s native plants and animals and the interactions that make the creek an exceptional natural environment. David credits the many property owners within the watershed and the Coalition with maintaining the creek’s natural values and high quality.
David does not own land on Spring Creek, but his knowledge of science, government workings, and the ecology of Spring Creek has been invaluable.
Travis Fite - for a 2nd term
A Cherokee citizen, Travis Fite is a full-time musician and producer. He performs at many venues locally and runs SoulTree recording studio in Perkins, Ok, writing, producing and recording music for local and national artists.
Travis comes from a family well-known for fighting for clean water. His late father Julian Fite led lawsuits against Arkansas to control the amount of poultry waste entering the Illinois River. Travis’ cousin, Ed Fite, is the long-time head of Oklahoma Scenic Rivers now under the Grand River Dam Authority.
In spite of his busy schedule, Travis stepped up and led the Spring Creek Coalition board in 2019. “Even though I don’t have time to continue as President, I want to continue to help in any way I can.”
Angela Brazeal - For a 2nd term
Angela has a 30 year practice in complementary medicine. She practices acupuncture, massage, and biomagnetic pair therapy. She has a life long passion for beuatiful water and natural springs and feels that they need protection.
Angela and Darren own property at the NW corner of Lucky Slab. They have installed a well and electric and hope to build a cabin someday.
Angela has served Spring Creek Coalition well for the past three years, two as its Secretary, and she is looking forward to serving a second term.
Beth rooney - for a 5th term
Beth and her husband Martin bought land on Spring Creek near Lucky Springs in 1999 and have been active on the creek ever since. Beth has been the president of Spring Creek Coalition for 11 of the past 12 years she has been on the Board.
"Whenever I spend time on Spring Creek I am awed by its beauty and its water. Spring Creek is a jewel that needs protecting." SCC Bylaws state that a person should not serve as a member of the Board of Directors consecutively for more than two full terms of office unless such restriction is specifically waived for good cause. Although Beth is willing to take a break, the SCC Board has asked her to continue.
As one board member said, “From representing Spring Creek in our work with various Oklahoma governmental agencies, fund raising, and coordinating our legal response to the poultry problem, to organizing workdays and educational activities, Beth has been active in every initiative taken on behalf of the creek. During this very critical moment for the watershed, her leadership is invaluable.”