New Director

[greenfishnut]

News Release: Commission selects Unsworth as new director of WDFW

WA Fish and Wildlife Commission

NEWS RELEASE
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/

January 10, 2015
Contact: Commission Office, (360) 902-2267

Commission selects Unsworth as new director of WDFW

TUMWATER - Dr. Jim Unsworth (see photo ), deputy director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, was chosen today as the new head of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to select Unsworth after interviewing eight candidates for the director's position in December and narrowing the field to four finalists. The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for WDFW, announced its decision at a public meeting Jan. 9-10 in Tumwater.

Unsworth, who will replace Phil Anderson, formally accepted the job today.

Commissioners said they sought a visionary leader with a strong conservation ethic, sound fiscal-management skills and the expertise to work collaboratively with the commission and the department's constituents.

"After a thorough nationwide search, we're confident Jim is the right person to guide the department through the many challenges that lie ahead," said Miranda Wecker, chair of the commission. "His solid understanding of natural resource issues and strong leadership skills will be invaluable in the department's effort to manage and protect the fish and wildlife resources that are so important to the people of this state."

As director, Unsworth will report to the commission and manage a department with more than 1,600 employees, and a biennial operating budget of $376 million. His annual salary will be $146,500.

Unsworth, age 57, has spent more than 30 years in wildlife management with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and has served as deputy director for the agency since 2008. He previously held several management positions for the department, including wildlife bureau chief and state big game manager.

Unsworth holds a bachelor's degree in wildlife management from the University of Idaho, a master's degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University and a doctorate in forestry, wildlife and range sciences from the University of Idaho.

"I'm thrilled at this opportunity," Unsworth said. "I look forward to taking on the many exciting challenges that come with managing fish and wildlife in the state of Washington."

Unsworth and his wife Michele have four adult children. He is an avid hunter and fisher.

Unsworth will replace Anderson, who announced in August he was resigning from his position at the end of 2014. At the commission's request, he has since agreed to stay on as the head of the agency until a new director is in place.

"Phil's enormous dedication to managing Washington's fish and wildlife will truly be missed," Wecker said. "As director, he was a tireless worker who successfully guided the department through one of the most difficult times in the history of this state. Under his leadership and with his support, the department made important progress in meeting some very challenging issues. We are extremely grateful for his service and all the contributions he made during his career at WDFW."

Wecker said a statement of appreciation for Anderson will be posted in the next week on the commission's webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/ .

[Wild Bill]

On the surface this selection looks like a win for sportsman! I am guardedly optomistic about his appointment but I guess time will tell.

[Nelly]

I believe that he will be a good director.
Current director Phil Anderson will be joining us this Saturday to discuss his tenure and to give us a bit of insight into Dr. Unsworth's challenges coming into the current wildlife management landscape

[Nelly]

Here's Dr. Jim Unsworth's interview on our show yesterday

http://theoutdoorline.com/podcasts/