LongWalk Leadership
Mike Morris - Founder & Executive Director
After a career of helping build better schools, Mike is now part of a team helping build better students. In college, Mike studied adolescent development and received degrees in psychology and sociology. As a single father to two sons, much of his time was spent coaching various sports, helping with high adventure Scouting programs and leading wilderness trips with friends.
After starting a high school rugby league and heading the Jenks Rugby Club, Mike saw the value of giving teens the opportunity to “run the show” all without him suffering profuse bleeding and orthopedic damage. Using wilderness adventure and public service to provide a level playing field, the opportunity to provide co-ed interaction with teens from all socioeconomic backgrounds became possible. Today, Mike leads LongWalk's Level 1 and Level 3 trips and enjoys the time watching our future leaders deal with the challenges of leadership.
Mike is happy to report that there have been no discipline problems on trips once the students learn they are sleeping in bear country.
Melanie Evans - President
Melanie Evans is currently serving a 3-year term as President of the LongWalk Board. She has been involved in working with teens as a volunteer or in her professional career since 1987. She has an undergraduate degree in sociology and a master’s degree in human relations. She and her husband Rick raised a son and daughter while she pursued a career for Youth Service of Tulsa, a nonprofit agency that serves teens and their families. She initially worked with teens in crisis in local high schools and then went on to administer a contract with the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
After moving to Florida in 2001, Melanie volunteered with the Police Athletic League. She mentored high school students pursuing their 100 hours of community service for graduation. She enjoyed helping these teens explore their leadership potential and practice good decision-making skills.
Since moving back to Tulsa in 2017, Melanie has joined the Board of LongWalk and been involved in the Level II Community Service projects with the campers. It has given her the opportunity to reconnect with teens in the same environment she enjoyed in Florida watching them grow in their leadership skills.
Chris Fling - Vice President
Chris Fling is the founder and manager of Primary Fuels LLC, an independent energy investor with operations in the Power River and DJ Basins in Wyoming and the Permian Basin in New Mexico.
As Vice President, Chris leads Level II projects. Chris guides the students as they partner with a local nonprofit to plan a project involving groups of friends and family from the area.
As well as serving as LongWalk's Vice President, Chris currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Energy Management Program in Price College at the University of Oklahoma, the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, and the Board of Directors of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming.
Chris has served as a volunteer with Up With Trees, Reading Partners, and The Arts and Humanities Council. He is also a member of the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Bradley Hammons - Treasurer
Kit Nagy - Director of Development
Bradley Hammons - Treasurer
Bradley initially became involved in LongWalk after attending a Level I backpacking trip as a student in 2016. After going on a Level III trip in 2018, he joined the LongWalk Board as the student representative. He eventually transitioned to the Treasurer role. He has an undergraduate and master's degree in accounting from the University
Bradley initially became involved in LongWalk after attending a Level I backpacking trip as a student in 2016. After going on a Level III trip in 2018, he joined the LongWalk Board as the student representative. He eventually transitioned to the Treasurer role. He has an undergraduate and master's degree in accounting from the University of Tulsa and graduated in 2022. He currently works for a CPA firm in Tulsa.
Bradley loves spending time outdoors, whether it be on a week-long backpacking trip or
a day hike. He was a member of Boy Scouts until he graduated high school and is also an Eagle Scout. Bradley believes spending time outdoors is a great way to connect with people and that LongWalk has taught him how to better lead and work with others in a challenging environment.
Stuart Turner - Secretary
Kit Nagy - Director of Development
Bradley Hammons - Treasurer
Stuart is a Tulsa native who has been on the LongWalk Board for since 2020. He took on the role of Secretary in 2022.
With a master’s degree in finance, Stuart has been involved in business development for local companies and nonprofits for fifteen years. He has a background in supporting organizations through improving business processe
Stuart is a Tulsa native who has been on the LongWalk Board for since 2020. He took on the role of Secretary in 2022.
With a master’s degree in finance, Stuart has been involved in business development for local companies and nonprofits for fifteen years. He has a background in supporting organizations through improving business processes and advising on accounting matters. Stuart has supported or advised community projects in a variety of areas including hospice care, church ministry, local elections, and international literacy.
Stuart strongly believes in the mission of LongWalk. He believes students need the opportunity to explore the wilderness and understand how to experience life without the advantages and comforts of modern technology.
Kit Nagy - Director of Development
Kit Nagy - Director of Development
Kit Nagy - Director of Development
Kit Nagy joined the LongWalk board in 2018 and currently serves as Director of Development. In this position, she handles the investor relations, helps with fundraising events, and maintains the insurance coverages.
Kit grew up in Tulsa and spent most of her career in sales. She retired in 2014 from General Mills. Kit has three children
Kit Nagy joined the LongWalk board in 2018 and currently serves as Director of Development. In this position, she handles the investor relations, helps with fundraising events, and maintains the insurance coverages.
Kit grew up in Tulsa and spent most of her career in sales. She retired in 2014 from General Mills. Kit has three children and five grandchildren and has worked with teenagers most of her life. She loves young people's enthusiasm and willingness to try new things.
Prior to joining the board of LongWalk, Kit spent several years as Tulsa Union Parent Teacher Association President and hostess for the Miss Oklahoma pageant. She is passionate about LongWalk and believes the trips make a positive difference in the students' lives.
Jonah Sloup - Board Member
Tristan Profit - Board Member
Jeremy Willis - Board Member
Jonah Sloup first became involved with LongWalk in 2022 through a local program that gives young professionals the opportunity to serve on a nonprofit board. Jonah chose LongWalk because he felt their mission is very important in today's day and age.
Jonah graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2018 with a degree in management informa
Jonah Sloup first became involved with LongWalk in 2022 through a local program that gives young professionals the opportunity to serve on a nonprofit board. Jonah chose LongWalk because he felt their mission is very important in today's day and age.
Jonah graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2018 with a degree in management information systems and a minor in finance. He is currently works as an IT Supervisor at Williams Companies.
Along with LongWalk, Jonah is involved in Tulsa Young Professionals, the OSU Beta Theta Pi Fraternity building corporation, and the Tulsa United Way Community Investments Committee. He enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with his wife and young son, Jonah Jr.
Jonah believes LongWalk's purpose of allowing teenagers to connect with nature and re-ground themselves away from technology will help them with self-confidence and overall peace.
Jeremy Willis - Board Member
Tristan Profit - Board Member
Jeremy Willis - Board Member
Jeremy Willis is a dynamic science teacher who has been making waves in the world of education since 2016. Jeremy brings a touch of humor and a wealth of knowledge to their role at an alternative high school, providing a non-traditional education.
Jeremy has been involved with LongWalk since 2019 and has taken their students on unforgettab
Jeremy Willis is a dynamic science teacher who has been making waves in the world of education since 2016. Jeremy brings a touch of humor and a wealth of knowledge to their role at an alternative high school, providing a non-traditional education.
Jeremy has been involved with LongWalk since 2019 and has taken their students on unforgettable journeys, helping them form lasting connections and develop their characters in the great outdoors.
When they're not sharing the wonders of science or leading students on epic adventures, you'll find Jeremy on the cutting edge of competition as the esports coach for their high school.
With a past as a wildlife rehabilitator and a love for the outdoors, Jeremy seizes every opportunity to take their students outside and teach life lessons that can't be found in a textbook.
Tristan Profit - Board Member
Tristan Profit - Board Member
Tristan Profit - Board Member
Tristan Profit first became involved in LongWalk when he had the opportunity to participate in a character-building activity in high school, an experience that left an indelible mark on him. Now as a board member, Tristan feels especially empathetic to participants as he once stood in the shoes of the students he now serves.
As a board mem
Tristan Profit first became involved in LongWalk when he had the opportunity to participate in a character-building activity in high school, an experience that left an indelible mark on him. Now as a board member, Tristan feels especially empathetic to participants as he once stood in the shoes of the students he now serves.
As a board member of LongWalk, Tristan feels fortunate to be able to help orchestrate life-changing experiences for students from diverse sports and schools. LongWalk's mission revolves around fostering character development through a series of transformative activities, something Tristan is passionate about.
Tristan believes in the profound impact of LongWalk's mission which inspired him to join the board and contribute to the organization that gave him so much. Tristan is excited to pay it forward and continue creating these invaluable opportunities for the next generation of students.
J.P. Schemmer - Guide
J.P. is a Tulsa native who recently graduated from John Brown University. He is passionate about the outdoors and education, and especially loves their intersection through programs like LongWalk. His own education has had various stops, from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa to a semester abroad at the University of Oxford in England.
J.P.’s experience as an outdoor leader includes working multiple summers as a wilderness guide and horsemanship instructor at HoneyRock, Center for Leadership Development of Wheaton College. He is a graduate of the School of Adventure Leadership Training and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder. J.P. is passionate about mentoring youth through the outdoors and teaching them new skills. He has guided backpacking trips, whitewater canoeing trips, and rock-climbing trips for students at national and state parks. On his own, he has backpacked for over a month in Spain on the Camino de Santiago.
J.P. is a firm believer in the power of outdoor experiences to provide space for young people to answer their big questions and develop leadership skills.
Greg Kohlbacher - Guide & Trainer
Greg is an educator with 20 years as a guide for Camp Takatoka, 15 years a teacher, four years a Student Council Sponsor, and a lifetime outdoorsman. Greg grew up exploring and learning about the fields and forests of Tulsa. Long before he heard about frogs, flowers, or insects in school he learned about them by watching and being with them in the wild.
Greg believes kids today miss out on valuable learning about themselves and about the natural world when they spend their lives in the artificial world of TV, video games and computers. Greg believes LongWalk is a great opportunity for adults to take action and help young people have a fulfilling childhood. He sees LongWalk as a way to reintroduce kids to the wild and all the benefits to be found there.
Greg brings a powerful resume to LongWalk as a route scout and guide/ mentor for over 20 years with Camp Takatoka where he led trips including overnight trips on wilderness sites on Lake Ft. Gibson, overnight river canoe trips, and eight-day Colorado backpacking trips. He also has years of outdoor education experience at the University of Georgia outdoor education facility in the North Georgia Mountains and guiding wildflower hikes for the national park service.
Chase Counts - Guide
Chase is an Oklahoma Native and father of two young children. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor who enjoys leading wilderness therapy in his private practice.
Chase learned about LongWalk while working as a counselor in a local alternative high school has been involved with the organization ever since. Chase enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, climbing, and kayaking.
Chase is passionate about the group dynamics of the LongWalk program and seeing participants become more confident in themselves during the process.
Scott Williams - Guide & Route Scout
Scott is a father to five children ranging from ages 7-23. He has a passion for community, teams, and leadership. This passion is shared with students at LongWalk and has been a staple of his career in marketing, product development, business leadership, and church ministry.
Growing up, Scott spent a lot of time fishing small ponds and lakes and canoeing the Baron Fork River. He is an avid runner and backpacker. Scott has hiked across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Colorado, Wyoming, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Scott believes nothing is more rewarding than seeing people around you succeed and find joy in what they’re doing.