Core Team

I have worked at Murray State University for over 30 years doing GIS/Remote sensing projects including land cover classification, habitat analysis, soil erosion studies, and a variety of watershed and conservation studies. I have also taught courses in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department including World Geography, Land Use Planning, and Intro. to Geographic Information Sciences. I enjoy being outdoors - hiking, biking, kayaking, or just reading on the deck. 

I have been with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 33 years and have worked on National Wildlife Refuges in Virginia, Delaware, Montana and Tennessee. I have a Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. My interest in the RIverlands Alliance is ensuring that our public lands and working lands are able to meet the needs of wildlife and the people of this area have the opportunity to access these lands and waters for their current and future enjoyment. I have two teen age sons that love banding wood ducks on the refuge, fishing and exploring the woods. I want to ensure their kids have this same opportunity. 

I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from Arkansas Tech University and my Masters of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University. I have served as an employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 33 years working on National Wildlife Refuges in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, and Kentucky. My wife and I raised 2 children in western Kentucky and are now the proud grandparents of 6. Our families cherish living in a region that is filled opportunity and thriving communities. The mission of the Riverlands Alliance is related to what I have dedicated my entire professional career trying to achieve, yet broader in scope.  I strongly believe in the vison set forth by the Alliance and encourage others to engage. Together, we can work to grow our region responsibly and in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all. 

Dan joined the leadership of the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) in Fall 2014. One of his objectives is to support the development of Community and Leadership programming for the UK Cooperative Extension Service. His current areas of interest and study include Community Coaching and work with communities to improve methods for citizen involvement. Dan holds a B.S. in Education from Iowa State University, a M.S. in Leadership Studies from Fort Hays State University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from Kansas State University. 

I received my BS and MS in AG at Murray State University while I was working in MSU Dining Services.  I worked at the university for 36 years in Dining Services with my last position as Food Buyer.  During my time at the university I became involved with the Four Rivers Watershed Watch as a volunteer.  After retiring, I became the Damon Creek Watershed Coordinator.  I was the Watershed Coordinator for four years, working with local conservation and extension offices in the region doing environmental education and field days for students and workshops for adults.  During those four years, I became a member of the Friends of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge.  In 2020, I became the Four Rivers Basin Coordinator.  This is a position that I held until October 2024.  During this time, I have worked throughout the Jackson Purchase and Pennyrile region teaching environmental education in the classroom and at field days. Also, I have become a board member of Kentucky Watershed Watch and I am involved in water quality monitoring.  I love the outdoors and what it offers individuals.  I feel that  nature is one of the true classrooms.  

Jim McCoy is the Area Supervisor of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL). He served as LBL’s fire management officer from 2003 to 2011 after beginning his career with the USDA Forest Service (USFS) in 1998. After serving in other USFS roles, Jim came back to LBL in 2023 to serve in his current position. He is a U.S. Army veteran and earned his bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife biology from Arkansas Tech University. In addition to his time with LBL and his stints in various roles at a trio of national forests, he has extensive training in National Environmental Policy Act, wildland fire, and change leadership.

Scot Ratzlaff brings over 30 years of hospitality experience to his role as Resort Park Manager at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. With a BS in Business Management and certification as a Hotel Administrator, Scot oversees a diverse 1500-acre waterfront park, skillfully managing everything from lodging to recreational areas. Throughout his career, he's enjoyed introducing visitors to the natural wonders each region has to offer. As a Core Team Member of the Riverlands Alliance, Scot is dedicated to preserving the area's outdoor heritage and natural resources. He's passionate about sustaining the region's quality of life by focusing on healthy lands, waters, and flourishing communities. When he's not at work, Scot and his family take full advantage of the Riverlands region's recreational opportunities. You might spot them fishing, hiking the scenic trails, or simply enjoying the great outdoors together. 

I began my professional journey with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources as a Fishery Biologist, following earning my master's degree in aquatic biology from Murray State University. In the latter part of my tenure with KYFW, I oversaw fisheries programs across the 14 counties of the Purchase Region, with a focus on Kentucky and Barkley lakes. After retiring in 2018, culminating in a 32-year career with KYFW, I embarked on a new path. I am currently in my second term as a Magistrate on the Calloway County Fiscal Court. I view myself not as a politician, but as a public servant dedicated to the community and the conservation of our regional outdoor resources. My personal interests include teaching Sunday school, acting as a financial coach, leading Financial Peace classes, delving into books about leadership, personal growth, and mindset, and enjoying camping trips (in a camper of course). 

Tyler Sanderson is the floodplain conservation manager for The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky and Tennessee. Tyler is a lifelong Wildcat and graduate of the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and an M.S. in Forest Hydrology. He has returned to his home state of Kentucky after a stint in Texas running conservation programs for local nonprofit land trusts. His current role at TNC focuses on floodplain health, stream connectivity and wetland habitats. Tyler resides in Lone Oak, KY and spends his free time learning and exploring the surrounding area and family farm with his wife and two daughters. 

My professional background includes a BS in Environmental Science with a focus in Biodiversity, Natural Resources, and Conservation from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I also was employed as a hunting guide and mule packer in the western U.S. before completing a TCAT trade program in Industrial Electricity. My current role is a Watershed Representative in TVA's Natural Resources Management group-West Region. My interest in the RA is due to its potential to foster relationships between agencies in the area in a way that furthers TVA's mission of environmental stewardship and recreational development for residents of The Tennessee Valley. My most memorable outdoor experience was hiking 712 miles of The Appalachian Trail. 

Seth Wheat is the Director of Interpretation & Engagement for the Kentucky Department of Parks.  In this role Seth works with Central Office and Parks staff across Kentucky to provide the best possible experience for State Park guests.  Serving as a liaison to Park Naturalists and recreation staff, the division oversees numerous aspects of Kentucky State Parks such as recreational amenities, trails, interpretative programs and events.  This division is also responsible for community involvement such as working with State Parks Friends Groups and other organizations.

Prior to his role with Parks, Seth worked for 12 years with Kentucky Tourism.  Seth began his career working in the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet on Kentucky’s Adventure Tourism Program.  During this time, he assisted with creation and implementation of the Kentucky Trail Town Program.  In 2015 he began work with the Department of Tourism.  In addition to working on all outdoor recreation and adventure tourism initiatives, he also assisted with the management of Kentucky Welcome Centers, the Team Kentucky Sports Partnership, and The Kentucky Tourism Development Act.

Seth lives on a farm in Barren County with his wife and two young boys.  He enjoys all things outside including hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking and camping.

External to my role as the Riverlands Alliance Coordinator, I am I am an associate professor at Murray State University and a Certified Wildlife Biologist through The Wildlife Society. I received my BS in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine, my MS in Forest Resources with a concentration in Wildlife Biology from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and my PhD in Wildlife and Conservation Ecology from the University of Florida. One of my favorite quotes by Aldo Leopold (the "Father of Wildlife Management") is "There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot." Like Leopold, I cannot live without wild things and that is part of what draws me to the Riverlands Region and why my family and I have chosen to make this region our home. It is important to me that we preserve the natural resources and cultural heritage of this region for current and future generations, and that is why I am passionate about supporting the Riverlands Alliance mission as a community member and as the RA coordinator. Outside of my work-related responsibilities, I enjoy living in Murray, KY with my husband, also a wildlife biologist, daughter and son, dog, cat, and 8 chickens. I try to keep up with other hobbies when I can, which include hiking, running, swimming, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and generally doing anything that gets me outdoors.