Association of Fish&Wildlife Agencies

Changes in Member Agencies

The following changes in state fish and wildlife agency leadership have occurred since the Association’s Annual Meeting last September:

Denby Lloyd was named Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Cal Groen was named Director of the Idaho Fish and Game Department following the retirement of Steve Huffaker.

Robert Carter was named Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Richard Leopold was named Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Bryant Hammett was named Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Ken Mayer was named Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Dave Chanda was formally named Director of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife after serving in an acting capacity.

Steve Gray, Chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, announced his retirement. A replacement has not yet been named.

Virgil Moore was named Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Jeff Vonk was named Secretary of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department following the retirement of John Cooper.

J. Carlton Courter III was named Director of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Among our federal members, Kathleen Clark has resigned as the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Jim Hughes, BLM Deputy Director has been named Acting Director. Gail Kimbell has been named Chief of the Forest Service following the resignation of Dale Bosworth. Mary Bomar has been named Director of the National Park Service following the resignation of Fran Mainella.

Association Staff Changes

Eric Schwaab resigned as the Association’s Resource Director effective February 28 to become the Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. As you all know, Eric is a big loss for the Association as he has played a key role in a number of important issues, including the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and the National Conservation Leadership Institute. The Association is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for the Resource Director position and plans to announce a selection in April.
Christina Zarrella joined the Association as the new Multistate Grants Coordinator on February 12. Christina brings an impressive set of qualifications to the Association, including experience in managing conservation programs with grants management responsibilities, an academic background in both the natural and policy sciences, and experience with field research and wildlife policy.
Jeff Johnston resigned as the Automated Wildlife Data Systems Coordinator on March 6. Jeff is currently on a contract with the Association through the North American Conference to help with the activities of the Technologies and Data Utilization Committee. The Association’s Executive Committee will be discussing options for the future of this program and will report to the membership at the Business Meeting.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee held their annual winter meeting December 19 and 20, 2006 in Washington, DC. During this meeting the committee made several changes to the Association’s benefits plan and made staff salary adjustments for 2007, voted to take by-laws changes before the membership during the Business Meeting at the North American, and approved the acquisition of new accounting software for the Association. In addition, the Committee discussed updating the Association’s strategic plan, received a briefing on end-of-year action by the Congress on Association priorities as well as a prognosis for the Farm Bill in the next Congress, received an update on the State Wildlife Action Plan synthesis report and the Association’s first ever annual report, plus received reports on the Association’s financial status, the National Conservation Leadership Institute, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, federal land policy and various legal issues. The Executive Committee also met with APHIS Administrator Ron DeHaven to discuss avian influenza, Chronic Wasting Disease, VHS, and the licensing for Gonacon, an immunocontraceptive for cervids.

Prior to the Executive Committee meeting, members of the Executive Committee and Glen Salmon, Fish and Wildlife Division Director of the Indiana DNR and Chair of the Association’s Fish and Wildlife Trust Funds Committee, met with leaders from the firearms, archery, recreational fishing and boating industries in a two-day Industry Summit. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to strengthen the working relationship between state fish and wildlife agencies and their industry partners.

On February 23rd, the Executive Committee met by phone to discuss a resolution endorsing the North American Hunting Accord, the collection date for Pittman-Robertson firearms excise taxes, the future of the Automated Wildlife Data Systems project, the status of the labeling for Gonacon and the prognosis for legislation that would provide dedicated long-term funding for state fish and wildlife agencies.

Other Areas of Note

The Association unveiled its first ever Annual Report at this meeting of the North American. The report was developed in an effort to help member agencies and staff provide an overview of the Association as well as key issues the Association worked on in 2006.

The National Conservation Leadership Institute is currently accepting applications for the second class of fellows which will start in November 2007. The application period is open through April 30.

To view the report, click here to download the pdf. If you're looking for a previous issue, contact us at 202/624-7890 or info@fishwildlife.org.