February 13, 2023
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies welcomes Director Chuck Sykes to the list of Officers, and Directors Bryan Burhans and Kendra Wecker to the list of Members of the AFWA Executive Committee.
“The Association is excited to have Director Sykes as our new Vice President, and to have Directors Burhans and Wecker join our Executive Committee,” said Curt Melcher, Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “Together, we will work to fulfill the Mission, Vision, Values and Goals of the Association and continue the great work of this remarkable organization.”
Chuck Sykes is the Director of the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. For over 10 years, Sykes has overseen the operations of all wildlife and fisheries biologists and conservation enforcement officers. He and his staff manage, protect, conserve, and enhance the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of the people of Alabama. Sykes has graciously accepted the appointment of Vice President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, moving from the Member list, on the Executive Committee.
Bryan Burhans is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which manages nearly 500 game and non-game wildlife species, 1.5 million acres of public land and the expectations of nearly 1 million hunters and anglers. Kendra Wecker is Chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife and oversees Ohio Department of Natural Resources efforts to manage and conserve fish and wildlife populations on behalf of all Ohioans. The Association is excited to have both Burhans and Wecker as new Members of the AFWA Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee charge is to determine all matters not especially provided for in the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws until passed at a regular meeting; employ and assign duties to the Executive Director and subordinate employees; approve annual budget of itemized estimated expenditures; and provide for payment of legitimate expenses incurred in behalf of the Association. Visit www.fishwildlife.org/landing/executive-committee for the full Executive Committee list.
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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.