2024-2025 Executive Board
President
Clay Wilton
Clay is a wildlife ecologist at Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) where he develops mammal population surveys and inventories natural communities and forest resources. He received his B.S. in Natural Resources at Central Michigan University and his M.S. in Wildlife Ecology at Mississippi State University.
Past-President
Gael Sanchez
Gael is the Lead Inland Wildlife Biologist for the Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley, Michigan. Gael is originally from New Mexico, where she obtained a Bachelor’s from New Mexico State University, then got a Master’s from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Gael has lived in Michigan since 2018.
Secretary
Steven Gray
Steven is a Research Associate in the Applied Forest and Wildlife Ecology Laboratory at Michigan State University. He received his PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University in 2019, where he studied the behavior and spatial ecology of wild pigs in Michigan. Broadly, his research focuses on wildlife ecology and conservation, particularly working with mammals in forested environments.
Board Member
Matt Nelson
Matt was raised in the South Carolina upstate at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where he formed a love for wildlife and the outdoors. Matt attended Clemson University where he nurtured his passions for wildlife and obtained a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. Matt is currently a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University where he collaborates with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to estimate wolf abundance in the Upper Peninsula using over 1,200 remote cameras. Matt’s research interests include wildlife population modeling, carnivore ecology, and applied wildlife management.
President-Elect
Matt Ihnken
Matt Ihnken is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and the Solar Wildlife Lead at NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology. Matt has held numerous positions within The Wildlife Society over the years. He believes that working groups and state chapters are a critical piece of The Wildlife Society, providing members a place to go to discuss issues important to them, but also providing guidance to the TWS board. His goal is to continue to increase the presence of the Michigan Chapter both to members and the TWS board and give members an opportunity to have a voice in policy discussions and decisions in the Great Lakes State and beyond.
Treasurer
Samantha Courtney
Samantha Courtney is a Deer Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. After receiving her B.S. from Michigan State University (MSU), she spent five years traveling the country working various wildlife jobs. She began graduate school at MSU focusing on deer behavior in relation to chronic wasting disease, receiving her M.S. in 2023.
Board Member
Melissa Nichols
​Melissa Nichols is a Wildlife Research Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Division. She received her B.S. and M.S. from Grand Valley State University. Her work mainly focuses on project management, data management, and research coordination. Melissa is currently the co-chair of the Wildlife Division's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team and co-chairs the Wildlife Division Research Workgroup.