January 7, 2026
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) is pleased to announce that Kurt Thiede has accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2026.
Mr. Thiede has spent the past five years as the Director of Government Affairs with the Association and will retain the Government Affairs portfolio until a replacement can be found. Prior to working for the Association, Thiede spent 18 years with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources- serving as the Deputy Secretary from 2015 to 2017 and served as the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5. Throughout his 20-year state and federal career he has promoted collaboration, creative problem-solving, common-sense decision-making, and active stakeholder engagement.
“This is a high-profile leadership position of immense importance to the work of the Association and state fish and wildlife agencies,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. “Kurt Thiede has a strong commitment to, and record of success in, managing the important work of the Association.”
“Kurt is a thoughtful professional and collaborative leader that has been instrumental to the success of the Association’s government affairs team over the past five years,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “I am excited to see him thrive in this new and challenging role at the Association.”
“I am very excited to take on the Chief Operating Officer responsibilities for the Association,” said Thiede. “I have the utmost respect for the roles of states in managing the fish and wildlife within their jurisdictions and have enjoyed representing their interests with policy makers in Washington, DC. As COO I look forward to ensuring that the mission, vision, values and business of the Association is conducted with integrity to meet the needs and expectations of our organization and our members.”
Mr. Thiede has a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management and biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and in 2016 he received an outstanding alumnus award from their school of natural resources. He is a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club. He is active in the outdoors and enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, bird watching, photography, and hiking with his wife, and three children.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.