The people behind the work.
No paid staff. Every person on this board gives their time because they believe Wichita's trees are worth showing up for.
Harold Schlechtweg
Retired labor organizer · Term expires 2028
Harold was a founding member of ICT Trees in 2023. His love for trees and the outdoors began with his childhood in rural Indiana, nurtured over the years through extended travels and stays in the wilderness and national forest lands of the mountain west. He retired as state director of the Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) Kansas operations in 2015, then spent two years working for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a refugee resettlement agency. He is a leader in the Delano neighborhood and led community support to establish Millwood Park in 2023.
Elizabeth Bishop
Retired Kansas State Representative · Term expires 2028
Elizabeth is a founding member and ICT Trees' first President and Chair. She is a graduate of the Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener program sponsored by Kansas State University. She was Executive Director and founding member of Wichita Independent Neighborhoods (WIN), and served three terms in the Kansas House of Representatives.
Ramona Liera-Schwichtenberg
Retired university professor · Term expires 2028
A board member since 2024, Dr. Liera-Schwichtenberg is Associate Professor Emeritus and former Chair of Women's Studies at Wichita State University. She also served as Graduate Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program and was a member of the Desegregation/Integration Advisory Committee to the Wichita School Board (USD 259). She previously taught at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and the University of Georgia, and holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Iowa.
Chuck Koeber
Professor & Dept. Chair, Sociology, WSU · Term expires 2028
Dr. Chuck Koeber is chair of the Sociology Department at Wichita State University and past Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Koeber teaches a class in environmental sociology and has participated in research on environmental topics including the sustainable tornado recovery and rebuilding effort of Greensburg, Kansas and the growth of Kansas wind power.
Mike McCorkle
Retired · Term expires 2027
Michael McCorkle has always loved trees. Returning to Wichita in 2019 to look after his aging parents, he wanted to contribute to making Wichita a better place to live. He has helped progressive candidates run for public office and advocated for the establishment of a Sustainability Board for Wichita. He serves on the Sustainability Integration Board, the Wichita Veterans Memorial Park Board, and is proud to help bring more trees to Wichita through ICT Trees.
Russell Arben Fox
Professor, Friends University · Term expires 2028
An expert on local and urban democracy, Dr. Fox is a professor of political science at Friends University, where he runs the History & Politics major and the University Honors program. He frequently comments on Kansas and Wichita politics through multiple media outlets and has been published in numerous journals, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries. He and his wife, Melissa, have four daughters and have lived in Wichita since 2006.
Doug Ballard
Retired · Term expires 2027
Doug Ballard is a lifelong resident, dedicated community activist, and family man deeply rooted in Wichita, Kansas. Raised in the historic Riverside neighborhood, Doug graduated from West High School and went on to build a long professional career in the local aviation industry, eventually retiring from the Cessna Aircraft Company. He is highly regarded throughout the community as a passionate advocate for transparency, civic accountability, and neighborhood improvements, frequently engaging with the Wichita City Council to champion grassroots concerns. His lifelong commitment to public service greatly inspired his daughter, Maggie Ballard, who currently serves as the City Council representative for District 6. Today, Doug remains active in neighborhood life alongside his wife, Michelle, helping preserve the tight-knit culture of the Riverside area.
Marche Fleming-Randle, PhD
VP, Wichita State University · Term expires 2028
Dr. Marche Fleming-Randle is a respected higher education leader and student success advocate known for her work in diversity, belonging, and community engagement. With more than 35 years of civic service, her career blends academic leadership with public influence, youth empowerment, and motivational speaking. She is the first Black female Vice President and Director of Military and Veterans Programs at Wichita State University. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Incorporated.
Holly Danley
Community advocate · Term expires 2028
Holly finds enjoyment outdoors walking her dogs, gardening, and playing with her grandkids. When she found ICT Trees, she volunteered her time to support the mission, then joined the board to help bring that vision to Wichita's neighborhoods. A neighborhood activist, she divides her time between ICT Trees projects, the Urban League's 9th Street Revitalization project, Habitat for Humanity, and the Neighboring Movement. She also serves on the District Advisory Board for Wichita District 1 and works at a Community Crisis Center.
Organizations that show up with us.
ICT Trees works alongside civic groups, local institutions, and community organizations who share a commitment to growing Wichita's urban canopy.
Want to get involved?
ICT Trees is built entirely by volunteers. If you want to help plant trees, organize in your neighborhood, or support the work in any way, we'd like to hear from you.
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