News Release - 05/05/2008

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Welcomes New Communications and Marketing Director

Washington (May 5, 2008) – The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named Laura MacLean its new director of Communications and Marketing. In this role, MacLean will oversee the Association's strategic communications planning and implementation to help North America's fish and wildlife agencies speak with a unified voice on key conservation and management issues.

MacLean brings to the position more than 14 years of experience executing social issues communications, marketing, and branding initiatives for organizations including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Emergency Nurses Association.

Most recently, she was the New Media Manager at Danya International, Inc., a health and education communications consulting firm, where she focused primarily on developing Internet-based social and professional networks and leading the company's corporate communications. Previously, she spearheaded many environmental protection/prevention programs including managing both the public and business ENERGY STAR© campaigns and creating an award-winning educational toolkit called "Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands" for EPA.

"We are extremely pleased to add someone with Laura's background and proven success to our team," said Matt Hogan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "With her leadership, I am confident that the Association will take new steps forward in our efforts on behalf of fish and wildlife agencies andNorth America's fish and wildlife resources.

"It is a privilege for me to be able to combine my personal passion for the outdoors with this extraordinary opportunity to join state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies in advancing the conservation and stewardship of our natural resources," said MacLean. "I look forward to contributing to the more than 100-year legacy of the Association."

MacLean holds an M.A. in Film and Video from The American University and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Minnesota.