The membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) elected Ryan J. Brown, Executive Director of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, as its new president during its 116th Annual Meeting in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

In accepting the Association’s Presidency, Brown expressed gratitude to Past President Paul Johansen for his commitment toward renewing connections and strengthening partnerships among state and federal agencies and conservation organizations engaged in natural resource management. Brown also reflected on how fortunate he feels to have found such a supportive conservation community, describing it as a humble privilege to serve a community that has given him so much.

“I am committed to representing and showcasing the vital role of state fish and wildlife agencies,” said Brown. “Together, we will strengthen and streamline our relationships with our partners, recognizing that every challenge brings opportunities to advance our shared conservation mission.”

“Executive Director Brown will be a tremendous asset to the Association as President, bringing extensive knowledge, experience, and a proven track record of leadership and management,” said Paul Johansen, 2025-2026 AFWA President.

“His leadership will be invaluable as we address today’s challenges, strengthen our partnerships, and continue the important work of the Association.”

Ryan J Brown was named Executive Director of Virginia DWR in 2019. He has served on the U.S. delegation to the 19th and 20th Councils of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), served as President of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and was the 2026 Recipient of the McCarthy Award for Leadership in Environmental Conflict Resolution. Brown grew up on a family farm in Fluvanna County and has stayed close to his roots in Virginia’s natural resources and open spaces.  Throughout his career, he has represented the Commonwealth’s natural resource agencies with the Office of the Attorney General, as well as in the Director’s Offices of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.  Ryan graduated magna cum laude from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, where he was a John Marshall Scholar and a Robert Merhige Fellow of Environmental Law, and received his B.A. from the University of Virginia.  He is an avid hunter, angler, and outdoorsman.

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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.