Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Welcomes First Female Member

Leigh Gaddis The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission on Monday welcomed Leigh Gaddis of Ada, OK, as its newest member.

Gaddis, whose appointment by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was announced Dec. 8, is the first woman to serve as a Wildlife Conservation Commissioner since the board was established in 1925.

Gaddis will complete the unexpired term of the late Harland Stonecipher as Commissioner from District 4, which includes Creek, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Seminole, Pottawatomie, Pontotoc, Hughes, Johnston and Coal counties. Stonecipher, of Centrahoma, died Nov. 10, 2014, having served as a Wildlife Conservation Commissioner since 1993.

“I am extremely honored by this appointment,” Gaddis said. “I’m looking forward to being part of the team to help do what’s best in regards to wildlife conservation and preserving the beauty and the natural resources the state of Oklahoma has to offer.”

Gaddis is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association; a member of Safari Club International; supporter of National Wild Turkey Federation; annual participant in the Oklahoma City Gun Club’s “Women on Target” Shooting Clinic; and helped host the Governor’s Big Buck Hunt in 2011.