Governor-elect Gianforte Names Transition Advisory Team for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Governor-elect Greg Gianforte today announced his transition advisory team for the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP).

The advisory team will identify and review candidates to serve as the next director of the FWP and will forward their recommendations to Governor-elect Gianforte.

“Montana’s landowners, hunters, and anglers share a tradition of working together to protect our lands and conserve wildlife. We need a leader at the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks who is committed to strengthening this tradition. I’m grateful to these team members for their service, and look forward to receiving their recommendations,” Gianforte said.

This is the fourth of many transition advisory teams the governor-elect will establish to assist in identifying exceptional candidates to serve as agency heads and members of related boards. Last week, Gianforte announced transition teams for the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, and the Department of Environmental Quality.

All members of the FWP Transition Advisory Team serve in a voluntary capacity and are not compensated for their time.

Earlier this month, Gianforte launched ServeMontana.com, a website in which individuals may submit their credentials for consideration to serve Montana, including leading state agencies.

Members of Governor-elect Gianforte’s FWP Transition Advisory Team follow:

Cheryl Arnaud – owner of Montana Hunting Company

Ed Beall – president of Capital Sports & Western; bowhunter ed instructor

Shane Gorder – Richland County Commissioner; former president of Montana Association of Counties; rancher

Steve Harada, MBA – faculty member at Ft. Peck Community College; former president of Walleyes Unlimited of Montana

John Lane – rancher and co-founder of Devil’s Kitchen Management Area

Matt Lumley – vice president of the National Trappers Association

Chuck Rein – president of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association

Lesley Robinson – former Phillips County Commissioner; rancher

Scott Sales – Montana state senator (SD-35) and president of the Montana State Senate; former speaker of the Montana House of Representatives

KC Walsh – executive chairman of Simms Fishing Products; director of the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

John Way – fishing guide and owner of the Tackle Shop in Ennis

Kerry White – executive director of Citizens for Balanced Use; Montana state representative (HD-64)