About ISAC

The National Invasive Species Council’s (NISC) high-level policy and planning activities benefit from the technical input provided by Federal agency staff,  and Federal inter-agency bodies working on invasive species issues, as well as non-Federal stakeholders. The Invasive Species Advisory Committee's (ISAC) primary duty is to “provide information and advice for consideration by the Council” on invasive-species related issues. ISAC members include representatives of state, territorial, tribal, and local governments, as well as academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. 

ISAC is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and administered according to its bylaws. ISAC typically holds two meetings per year. All meetings are open to the public, and minutes of each meeting are publicly available. 

Since its creation in 1999, ISAC has provided valuable input to NISC on a wide range of Federal priorities and emerging issues. ISAC advice and other resources are available. ISAC was deactivated in May 2019, and reauthorized in October 2021. ISAC members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior with extensive input from the other NISC members.

The current ISAC members were appointed on December 23, 2022.  Total membership includes 13 voting members appointed by Secretary Haaland, and five non-voting, ex-officio members representing stakeholder non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Current Membership List

Voting Members

Charles T. Bargeron, IV, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, University of Georgia

Chuck Bargeron has been with the University of Georgia for 24 years, where his work focuses on invasive species and information technology. Recently, Chuck has focused on mapping invasive species and tools for Early Detection and Rapid Response using EDDMapS, Wild Spotter, and companion smartphone applications. Chuck has spoken at over 300 regional and national conferences and co-authored over 67 journal articles and outreach publications. 

Full Bio

Laura Brewington, Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, Arizona State University

Dr. Brewington holds a joint appointment as a Research Professor at Arizona State University’s Global Institute for Sustainability and Innovation, and a Research Fellow at the East-West Center. She co-leads the Pacific RISA climate adaptation research program in Hawaii and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands and is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Full Bio

Leah Elwell, Conservation Collaborations (representing Invasive Species Action Network)

Leah Elwell is a non-profit collaborator working to create AIS prevention strategies that result in positive outcomes. Her approach is science-based, nature informed, and process driven.

Full bio

Slade Franklin, Wyoming Department of Agriculture  (Chair)

Slade Franklin has worked for the Wyoming Department of Agriculture for the past 24 years.  During that time, he has worked on many invasive species issues and policies related to Wyoming and the other western states.

Full bio

Leigh Greenwood, The Nature Conservancy

Leigh has worked for The Nature Conservancy since December 2007. Her work focuses on bringing multiple stakeholders together to achieve common goals in Forest Health, including managing the Don't Move Firewood campaign.

Full bio 

Jack Hicks, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Jack Hicks, Choctaw Nation tribal member, is a seasoned land management professional with more than three decades of experience.

Full bio

Jiri Hulcr, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida

Jiri started on a farm in the Czech Republic, and ended up as the University of Florida’s Forest Entomologist. On the research side, he leads a team of young researchers – from software developers to molecular biologists to artists – investigating the 100-million-year-long interplay between trees, insects, and fungi. On the extension and outreach side, he is working with stakeholders worldwide to increase the understanding of how this story has been abruptly dramatized by the global homogenization of plants, pests and diseases and intensified by plantation silviculture. His ultimate goal is to use research, policy and media to build our understanding of, and respect for, the requirements of trees and forests to grow in the right places at their own pace.

Full bio

Christy Martin, Pacific Cooperatives Studies Unit/Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, University of Hawai'i  (Vice Chair) 

Christy Martin is the program manager for the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS), a partnership of agencies and organizations working to fill the gaps in Hawaii’s invasive species prevention, response, and control programs. Christy is also one of the co-founders of the Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (Pacific RISCC), whose aim is to focus research and communications on the confluence of invasive species and climate change in the Pacific Islands region.

Full bio

David Pegos, California Department of Food and Agriculture

David began his career in the California State Legislature, working for a California State Assemblymember, State Senator, and Governor focusing on agriculture and natural resource issues. Currently working for the California Department of Food and Agriculture focusing on external affairs and communications.  David is also the Executive Director of the Invasive Species Council of California.

Full bio

LeRoy Rodgers, South Florida Water Management District

LeRoy Rodgers is an invasive species biologist with South Florida Water Management. He oversees operational management of invasive plants and animals in the Florida Everglades and other south Florida ecosystems.

Full bio

Lizbeth Seebacher, Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council, University of Washington

Lizbeth Seebacher is a wetland and aquatic biologist for the Washington State Department of Ecology. She is the program manager for the aquatic plant and cyanobacteria programs concentrating on invasive aquatic plants and lake restoration. Dr. Seebacher has been involved with invasive plant issues for over 20 years working with nonprofit, federal, state and county organizations.

Full bio

Paul Zajicek, National Aquaculture Association

Paul Zajicek is the Executive Director of the National Aquaculture Association, the only national non-profit trade association that represents and advocates for U.S. aquaculture.

Full bio

Ex-officio (non-voting) Members

Nicole Angeli, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA)

Nicole Angeli is the Director of the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife, working with staff across the USVI to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife stocks. Dr. Angeli worked closely with senators in the USVI to pass the 2022 Invasive Species Eradication Community Program, certifying members of the public to manage invasive species of wildlife responsibly. She has presented at regional and national conferences, provides scientific information for the Government of the Virgin Islands, and has co-authored over 40 journal articles and outreach publications.

Full bio

Steven H. Long, National Plant Board (NPB)

Steven Long is first an active member of the National Plant Board where he has served in numerous leadership capacities in pursuit of solving pest and pest program issues with partner states and federal partners. He looks forward to utilizing his Clemson education and vast work experiences with private South Carolina agriculture, Clemson Regulatory and Public Service Programs, and volunteer time with South Carolina Farm Bureau to support the ISAC committee as an ex-officio member in problem solving, solution finding, and experience sharing. 

Full bio

Mitzi Reed, Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS)

Mitzi Reed is the Invasive Species Coordinator for the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society. She is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, where she served as Director/Biologist of the Choctaw Wildlife and Parks.

Full bio

William Simshauser, National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)

Bill Simshauser represents the National Association of Conservation Districts. He farms and ranches on a fourth generation farm in southwest Kansas in the heart of the 1930s dust bowl area.

Full bio

Christie Trifone Millhouse, North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA)

Christie Trifone Millhouse is the Executive Director of the the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA). She oversees the management and financial stability of the organization, identifies new and creative ways to fulfill NAISMA's mission, ensures that activities align with the Board of Directors' goals and organization strategic plan, and supports the organization culture.                                                                                                                                                                            

ISAC Member Archive