It is once again time to vote for MEIC’s board members. Only MEIC members can vote in the MEIC board election. MEIC members are those who have contributed financially or with volunteerism within the last year. If you have questions or concerns about your ballot or the process of voting, contact Denise at drothbarber[at]meic.org.
Please cast up to 7 votes at this link: https://tinyurl.com/MEICBoard2026
Learn more about the candidates here:
Dave Chadwick
(he/him, Helena)
I have worked for the last 30 years on public policy and public affairs, with an emphasis on wildlife conservation and environmental protection. I moved to Montana about a dozen years ago to work for the Montana Wildlife Federation; before that I worked for state government in Colorado, and spent some time in Washington DC working on a range of environmental policy issues. I currently work as a freelance consultant, assisting conservation organizations around the country with a variety of strategy, advocacy, and capacity needs. I believe science, trust democracy and enjoy big ideas. We still have time left to protect the land, water, and wildlife that make Montana a great place to live and a destination for visitors from all over the world – but the window is closing. I am eager to help MEIC continue to lead the fight to Keep Montana Montana by mobilizing people to protect what we have and restore what we’ve lost.
Karen Jarussi
(she/her, Billings)
I grew up in big cities in Texas. In 1979, I spent 3 weeks in northwestern Montana and was smitten. The next spring, I moved up “for the summer” and have been here ever since. After graduating from law school at the University of Montana in 1987, I began a federal judicial clerkship in Billings. A two year term turned into a career position for 19 years, under two different Judges. Billings is still home, where I live with my husband of 36 years and our sweet pup Gemma Jo. The Hatch Act precluded involvement in many activities while working at the Court. I volunteered as a child advocate and served two terms on the Board of Directors of Yellowstone CASA. Since retiring, I have worked with several political campaigns, assisted with public interest litigation, joined a NPRC Laurel methane plant task force, and recently, gathered signatures for the Yellowstone County Data Center Ballot Initiative. I worry about climate change and other threats to our environment. I want my grandkids to be able to thrive and live full lives. MEIC is at the forefront of many of the issues we face, and I’d be honored to join in that work.
Nels Johnson
(he/him, Bozeman)
One hundred Montanans gathered in Helena in 1972 for the first and only state constitutional convention since Montana statehood in 1889. The new constitution included inalienable rights to a clean and healthy environment and a directive to state government to maintain and improve the environment. With Montana’s long and proud history of environmental protection now under assault at the state and federal level, I can think of no more important calling than to serve on MEIC’s board of directors. I grew up on the Great Plains in North Dakota with family roots in Montana followed by college in Oregon (Reed College) and graduate school in Connecticut (Yale School of the Environment). My career in international conservation and U.S. climate and energy policy has included research and program management at the World Resources Institute and The Nature Conservancy, where I was most recently director of TNC’s North America Renewable Energy Strategy. I also served as board member and chair of the Pinchot Institute for Conservation. After four decades of work around the world, I’m still firmly convinced that Montana is the best place on the planet! My wife Eileen and I live in Bozeman when we’re not exploring back roads and hiking trails across the West.
Steve Running
(he/him, Missoula)
I have been with the University of Montana, Missoula since 1979, now as a University Regents Professor Emeritus of Global Ecology. My primary research interest is the development of global ecosystem biogeochemical models integrating remote sensing with bioclimatology and terrestrial ecology. I have worked in the NASA Earth Observing System since 1981 and developed the EOS MODIS global terrestrial net primary production and evapotranspiration datasets. I have published more than 300 scientific articles and two books, and for many years has been designated a Highly Cited Researcher. Before retirement, I chaired the NASA Earth Science Subcommittee followed by co-chairing the Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space for the National Academy of Science. I was a chapter Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, and in 2014 led the Forest chapter of the National Climate Assessment. I am an elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and received the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer award. In the popular press, my essay in 2007 “The 5 Stages of Climate Grief” has been widely quoted. I consider MEIC to be the most effective NGO I contribute to and would love to join the board.
Jessie Wiles
(she/her, Helena)
I hope to continue to serve on MEIC’s board because I am committed to the organizational background work that keeps MEIC a healthy, functioning organization. Beyond the practical value of continuity, the work itself remains meaningful. There’s real satisfaction in seeing the tangible effects of the work that the Board does in helping to sustain MEIC’s operations. Finally, boards work best with a mix of experienced and fresh perspectives, and remaining involved allows for mentoring newer members while still contributing the judgment that comes from having seen the organization through its recent challenges. It’s an honor to serve on this Board!
