Chair

Allen Evenson

Weed Districts Representative

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

Voting member.

Vice Chair

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.

Board Secretary

Carey Caruso

Eastern Washington Public Interest Representative

Carey Caruso serves as the Eastern Washington Public Interest Representative on the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. A dedicated advocate for sustainable agriculture, Carey and her husband operate a small farm in Pomeroy, Washington, where they maintain honeybee colonies for commercial pollination services, swarm removal, and honey-based product production.

Carey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Washington State University, which equips her with a strong foundation in public policy, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Her academic background enhances her ability to navigate the complexities of noxious weed management and advocate for balanced solutions that support both agricultural and environmental interests.

With a deep understanding of the vital relationship between noxious weed control, pollinator health, and agricultural success, Carey works to bridge the gap between stakeholders, including local weed boards, beekeepers, ranchers, and the broader community.

As a voting member of the Board, Carey actively contributes to decisions that impact the agricultural and environmental landscape of Eastern Washington, bringing her expertise, education, and dedication to the role.

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.

Marci Miller

Representative of South Eastern Washington Counties: Klickitat, Yakima, Adams, Whitman, Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin.

Marci is on the Adams County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Voting member.

Bill Zimmerman 

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

Voting member.

Vacant

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

Voting member.

Alison Halpern, PhD

Washington Department of Agriculture 

Alison is the Policy Assistant at 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.

Ian Burke. PhD

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.

Todd Palzer

Scientific Advisor

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

Non-voting member.