WHO ARE WE?
Learn more about the individual board members and directors below. Information about Kansas Wildlife Federation’s history can be found here.
Alfonso Leyva
President
Alfonso Leyva, a native of southwest Kansas, was raised in rural Seward County and possesses a background in agriculture. In 2016, he earned a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from K-State. As Park Planner at the City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation, Alfonso leads planning, design, and management of capital improvement projects for the parks, recreation, and zoo divisions. His responsibilities include community engagement, conceptual plans, construction documents, master plans, reports, cost estimates, and collaborating with other staff in project development and implementation. Alfonso strives to incorporate nature-centric design in his work. While outside the office, he enjoys hiking with his family, camping, kayaking, fishing, and trap shooting.
Ben Jedlicka
Treasurer
Ben Jedlicka, a retired Park Ranger from Tuttle Creek State Park, began his career in 1985 with the Kansas State Park Authority, which later merged to become the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. After the merger, he served as a Game Warden for Riley and Washington Counties. Dedicated to Hunter Education, he organized youth programs and served as board president of the Fancy Creek Range, where he supported various shooting sports and youth events, including 4-H and Boy Scouts programs. Additionally, Jedlicka volunteered as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 79, traveling twice with them to Philmont Scout Ranch. He also served on the board of the Flint Hills Renewable Energy & Efficiency Cooperative, a solar cooperative helping Kansas homeowners and businesses install and benefit from PV solar systems.
Lyndzee Rhine
Director, South-Central Kansas
Lyndzee Rhine grew up in a small, Northcentral Kansas town where she developed an appreciation for all things natural and native to Kansas. In 2014, she graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and graduated with her master's in science education in 2017. Taking her first steps into the world of environmental education, she worked at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, KS as an Educator. She is currently employed with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism as the Outdoor Skills and Recruitment Coordinator. Lyndzee has an affinity for fungi, camping, hunting, and fly-fishing.
Krystal Sarcone
Director, Northeast Kansas
Krystal Sarcone, a New York (state) native, grew up in the Hudson Valley and loved being surrounded by nature from a young age. She received her bachelor's degree from Ithaca College, and two masters from Brown University. While her academic and professional background is rooted in Global and Public Health, Krystal is passionate about conservation and wildlife, and is actively engaged with axillary support for a local wildlife rehabilitator. Additionally, Krystal volunteers her time for a local nonprofit that focuses on children's wildlife educational programming as well has loved the opportunity to teach the campers of OAC about one of her favorite outdoor pastimes, birding. A relatively new transplant to rural little Hiawatha, KS, Krystal also brings with her years of nonprofit management, strategic planning, and marketing experience.
Rance Schreibvogel
Director, Southwest Kansas
Rance Schreibvogel is a high school science teacher and golf coach in Holcomb, KS, that teaches Environmental Science along with Anatomy and Physiology. When not in the classroom or golf course Rance is co owner of Hidden Trail Brewing in Garden City making delicious craft beer. Rance has combined his wildlife passion along with his passion for breweries into a unique YouTube channel: Invasive Brews and educates people about invasive species and breweries across the country.
Mackenzie Reh
DIRECTOR, SOUTHEAST KANSAS
Mackenzie Reh grew up in Newton, Kansas and attended Wichita State University for her Bachelor’s in Biology with an emphasis in Ecological, Environmental, and Organismal studies. She then attended Fort Hays State University to receive her Master’s in Biology, completing a thesis on Chihuahuan Green Toads in Western Kansas. Her time in academia and field biology led her to accept a position as the Director of the Pratt Education Center & Museum at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Diving into the world of Outdoor Education, she works across departments and agencies to bring a wide variety of outdoor and nature-based programs to kids and adults alike. Mackenzie enjoys tending her quail covey, cross-stitching, paddle boarding, looking for amphibians and reptiles (herping), and gardening.
Steve Bender
Director of Conservation Partnerships
Steven Bender has worked as a biology teacher, a private lands biologist, a statewide planner for nongame species, and a nonprofit strategist and advisor. He currently works for the National Wildlife Federation as a Director of Conservation Partnerships. He partners with the Kansas Wildlife Federation (KWF) and acts as an advisor to the group and a liaison between KWF and the National Wildlife Federation.
Morgan Gerstmann
DIRECTOR, NORTHWEST KANSAS
Morgan Gerstmann is a native Kansan who grew up immersed in the outdoors, developing a lifelong passion for wildlife and conservation. A self-taught hunter and angler, Morgan first attended the Kansas Wildlife Federation–sponsored Outdoor Adventure Camp as a young camper. His enthusiasm for the program led him to return year after year, first as a counselor and range master, and now as Board Treasurer of the newly independent Outdoor Adventure Camp organization.
Join the Team!
If you have a passion for the outdoors of Kansas and want to help us achieve our mission consider a spot on our board. See the attachment below for more information: