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Wildlife Commission Appoints Executive Director
RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 6, 2004) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission today appointed Richard Hamilton executive director of the agency. A biologist and 34-year employee of the Wildlife Commission, Hamilton had been serving as interim executive director since Charles Fullwood retired on Sept. 24. Hamilton, 60, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in wildlife sciences from N.C. State University. He joined the Commission in 1970 as a wildlife biologist. A Raleigh resident, Hamilton also has been a research coordinator and division chief for the Commission’s Wildlife Management Division and Division of Inland Fisheries. He was responsible for the game law revision in 1979, working with the N.C. General Assembly and N.C. Institute of Government to rewrite the 1935 game law. The revised game law remains the basis of current wildlife conservation programs in the state. Hamilton was promoted in 1986 to chief deputy director, taking responsibility for the Wildlife Commission’s field operations and legislative work. Hamilton pledged to provide North Carolinians with “the best possible program in current wildlife conservation.” “We have the staff and the infrastructure to deliver it,” he said. “And we have a responsive Commission that has provided strong support for our wildlife conservation program.” Wildlife Commission Chairman John Pechmann lauded Hamilton’s subject-matter expertise and knowledge of the agency’s operations. “Richard Hamilton brings to the position more hands-on knowledge of the agency and greater understanding and appreciation of sound management of our wildlife resources than anyone else we could hope to find anywhere in the country,” Pechmann said. “He has the full confidence of our staff and every member of the Commission.” Since its inception in 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the wise-use, conservation and management of the state’s fish and wildlife resources. Nineteen wildlife commissioners create and maintain laws and regulations governing hunting, fishing and boating activities based on input from the public and the Commission’s wildlife and fisheries biologists, wildlife enforcement officers, educators, engineers and administrative staff. |
