Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Leigh Gaddis of Ada has been selected to become chairman of the Commission beginning in July 2021. In this role, she becomes the first woman to hold that position in Oklahoma.

Gaddis was appointed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin in 2014 to serve out an unexpired term, and again in 2018 to a regular eightyear term representing District 4 in central Oklahoma, which includes: Creek, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Seminole, Pottawatomie, Pontotoc, Hughes, Johnston and Coal counties.

“The outdoors are so important to me and my entire family, and it’s an incredible honor to be able to help support the mission of conserving our vital fish and wildlife resources while expanding opportunities where we can to enjoy those resources,” she said.

“There are certainly many great conservation successes in recent decades, particularly with our big game species, but there also some challenges with species like turkey and quail and other ground-nesting birds. I look forward to working with ODWC staff to keep outdoor recreation great in this great state I love so much.”

Gaddis is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Oklahoma (LOK) class of 31 and a 2011 graduate of Leadership Ada. She is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, a member of Safari Club International and a member of the Dallas Safari Club. Most recently, she was selected to serve on the board of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation.

Leigh Gaddis and her husband, Roger, co-founded Gaddis & Gaddis Wealth Management, a financial planning and investment firm that has offices in Ada, Ardmore, Durant and McAlester.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology education from East Central University. In her free time, she enjoys hunting and fishing with her husband and their four sons.

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.