President-Elect Candidates
Two AFS members are running for President-elect of the Iowa Chapter. The winning candidate would become President during 2023-24.
Thank you to Seth and George for running! To vote, please visit: https://iowa.fisheries.org/officer-election/
Seth Fopma
I am the aquatic vegetation specialist for the LTRM team in Bellevue. Seth aspires to increase AFS engagement of both professional and non-professional members in Iowa. Seth received a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Dordt University (formerly Dordt College) and PhD. in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from South Dakota State University. Originally from south central Iowa, Seth worked as a
seasonal at both the Lake MacBride and Chariton offices prior to attending graduate school. Seth joined the Iowa DNR in 2021 from the Pallid Sturgeon recovery team in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Seth joined AFS in 2014 and has been a member of the North Central Division since that time. Seth has helped lead the American Fisheries society at multiple levels since joining. He currently serves as the
Secretary/Treasurer for the Iowa Chapter, and has served as both the treasurer and president of the South Dakota State Student Subunit. Seth has also served as a co-editor to produce the newsletters for the Education Section of the parent society. Seth is passionate about connecting with fisheries professionals and students through AFS, and increasing the benefits of AFS membership.
George Scholten
I currently Supervise the Research Section and Aquatic Invasive Species Program in the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau. I received a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from South Dakota State University in 2002 and then a M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Tech University in 2004. While at TTU, I worked in the Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit under Dr. Phil Bettoli on an assessment of the paddlefish stock in Kentucky Lake. After defending my thesis, I started with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in Nashville as a Program Coordinator. I initially coordinated the Large River and Commercial Fishing programs and was the Reservoir Program Coordinator when I left for Iowa in 2009.
I have been a member of the American Fisheries Society for 20 years. Most of that time has been with the North Central Division, but I was actively involved in the Southern Division during my time in Tennessee. Currently, I am the Secretary-Treasurer of the Fisheries Administration Section. Throughout my career, I have benefited from AFS and the numerous professional development and networking opportunities it provides. From attending society meetings, serving on technical committees, and participating in the peer process, I have gained skills and knowledge that I use every day. If given the opportunity to serve as President of the Iowa Chapter of AFS, I will strive to give back to the society that has given me so much.
