Chair

Allen Evenson

Weed Districts Representative

Allen is the chair for Grant County Weed District #3.

Voting member.

Vice Chair

Dr. Ian Burke

Scientific Advisor

Ian is a professor of Weed Science at Washington State University, where he researches the management of many weed species, and supervises many students. He completed his PhD at North Carolina State University, and completed Post-Doctoral work at USDA-ARS Stoneville.

Non-voting member.

Board Secretary

Janet Spingath

Western Washington Public Interest Representative

Janet has a degree in Forest Resource Management from the University of Idaho and did her graduate work in Wetlands Ecology. She has since worked as a timber cruiser in Northwest Oregon, taught timber classes at a community college, and has completed a Master Watershed Steward course. A resident of Pierce County, she serves on the Chambers/Clover Creek Watershed Council and is continuing the systematic sampling of water quality in American Lake that her uncle started many years ago. Janet is interested in educating the public about watershed protection and health. And she is a noxious weed geek- yes, one of us, who points out noxious weeds to friends while hiking. 

Voting member.

Alaine Sommargren

Representative of Northwest Washington Counties: Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson

Alaine received her BS from UC Davis in Environmental Horticulture & Urban Forestry and her MS from University of Washington in Forest Resources. She has worked in farming, landscaping, botanical gardens, teaching, and ecosystem restoration. After many years managing the Natural Resources Program for the City of Mercer Island, Alaine currently serves as the Deputy Public Works Director. Alaine has been on the King County Noxious Weed Control Board since 2017 and was elected to the State Weed Board in 2024.

Voting member.

John "Chip" Magnuson  

Representative of North Eastern Washington Counties: Okanogan, Kittitas, Grant, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Lincoln, Douglas, and Chelan

John is on the board for Spokane Noxious Weed Control Board.

Voting member.

Ken Bajema 

Representative of Southwest Washington Counties: Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, Pierce, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Clark

Ken is a commercial holly grower and serves on the Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Board. Re-elected to the State Weed Board in 2018, Ken previously served on the State Weed Board from 2005 – 2011.

Voting member.

Marci Miller

Representative of South Eastern Washington Counties

Marci is on the Adams County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Voting member.

Carey Caruso

Eastern Washington Public Interest Representative

Carey and her husband are beekeepers who operate a small farm in Pomeroy where they offer commercial pollination and swarm removal services, and they also produce honey-based products. Carey is committed to raising healthy hives and producing quality honey and understands the importance of noxious weed control.

Voting member.

Greg Haubrich

Washington Department of Agriculture 

Greg is an Assistant Director, and lead of the Plant Protection Division.

Voting member.

Randy Johnson

Representative of Washington Association of Counties

Clallam County Commissioner

Voting member.

Eric Bell 

County Coordinators Association Representative

Eric is also the coordinator for Adams County Noxious Weed Control Board

Non-voting member.

Jennifer Andreas

Scientific Advisor

Jennifer is the director of the biocontrol project run by WSU. She has worked in biocontrol since 1998 in Canada, Switzerland, Idaho and Washington. She joined WSU King County Extension in 2005 and provides integrated weed management strategies and education to Washington land managers.

Non-voting member.

Todd Palzer

Scientific Advisor

Todd is the Aquatic Invasive Species Resource Planning Manager for Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Non-voting member.