Who are we?
Learn more about the individual board members and directors below. Information about Kansas Wildlife Federation’s history can be found here.
Jeffrey Seim
President
Jeffrey Seim grew up on a farm north of Grand Island, NE where he was free to explore his curiosities of the outdoor world. After completing his undergraduate (2013) and graduate (2015) degrees in biology from Fort Hays State University, Jeff began his career working with Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. There he has conducted research as a seasonal Ecological Technician, performed wildlife conservation as a Private Lands Biologist, and currently works as a Fisheries/Wildlife Biologist with the Ecological Services Section of the agency. Jeff currently lives in Pratt, KS where he enjoys gardening, beekeeping, trapping, hunting, and fishing.
Laura Mendenhall
Treasurer
Laura Mendenhall grew up in Olathe, Kansas where she cultivated a strong outdoor ethic after joining the Boy Scouts of America Venturing Co-ed Scout program at age 14. Following undergraduate studies in conservation biology and Spanish at Kansas State University and graduate studies in spatial analysis for conservation at Duke University, Laura started her now 9 year career as a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first at the California Condor Recovery Program in Ventura, California and now in Kansas. Laura lives in rural Riley County where she enjoys hunting, birding, landscaping with native plants, and finding innovative ways to reduce trash.
Alfonso Leyva
Director, North-Central Kansas
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.
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.
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.
Krystal Sarcone
Director
Born and raised in southwest Kansas, Alfonso Leyva grew up in rural Seward County and has an agricultural background. He graduated with a Master of Landscape Architecture degree in 2016. As Park Planner with the City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department, Alfonso supports and leads planning, design, and management of capital improvement projects for the parks, recreation, and zoo divisions. He is responsible for community engagement; preparation of conceptual plans, construction documents, master plans, reports, and cost estimates; and works with other staff, as required, in project development, planning, and implementation. Designing with nature is a goal in his work. Alfonso enjoys hiking with his furry hound Duke, camping, kayaking, fishing, and trap shooting.
Rick Hines
Advisor, Southeast Kansas
Rick Hines grew up on a farm near Erie, Kansas. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and History at Pittsburg State University, where he served as Student Body President. Rick did graduate work in political science at the University of Missouri – Columbia and received his law degree at the University of Kansas where he was a Notes and Comments Editor on the Law Review. He also served two years active duty as an officer in the Army Security Agency, Military Intelligence. He has also committed time to several other non-profit foundations. When not practicing law, Hines enjoys farming, running, and adventure hiking, such as climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Everest base camp, the Inca trail in Peru, the W Trek in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, etc. Hines and his wife, Mary, have three daughters and eight grandchildren.
Sam Pounds
Director
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.
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: