August 7, 2015

Three leaders in the Valley have been elected to Audubon Arizona’s Board of Directors. The new members bring decades of experience in organizational management, business development and environmental stewardship to support Audubon Arizona’s mission of connecting people with nature and protecting birds, wildlife and their habitats.

They join the 18 members of the Board of Directors, who are responsible for overseeing Audubon Arizona’s education programs, fundraising, PR & marketing, science and public policy, finances, and business development. The new members are:

 Thomas J. Carlson, Director of Executive Projects & Support, APS. Over his 26-year career at APS, Carlson has held positions in fuels procurement and energy trading, and created a water resource planning department which managed the company’s water resources. Currently he has oversight responsibility for the development and implementation of key strategic infrastructure projects needed by APS and its customers to ensure reliability of service. Carlson graduated with a degree in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Mathematics. He is also an avid birder and hiker.

 Sharman Hickman, Community Support, Hickman’s Family Farms. Hickman is a third-generation Arizona native and assists in management of Hickman’s Family Farms, where she has worked since 1972. Hickman has served on many nonprofit boards, including New Life Domestic Violence Center, Phoenix Conservatory of Music, Animal Advisory Council for the State of Arizona, and served as the State Promotions Director for the American Egg Board. She has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Arizona State University. She enjoys being outdoors and playing sports for community events.

 Ondrea Barber, Executive Director, Department of Environmental Quality, Gila River Indian Community. Barber has worked with many tribal governments in developing and implementing comprehensive environmental quality programs, including regulatory and educational components for natural resource protection and oversight, including air, pesticides, waste, water, and wildlife. She has also held leadership positions with the Arizona Departments of Housing and Transportation. She has a Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies and Life Sciences from Arizona State University. 

Audubon Arizona is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization with the mission of connecting people with nature, using science, education, and advocacy to protect Arizona’s birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and earth’s biodiversity.