Newly appointed WDFW director, Kelly Susewind, is shown in this courtesy photo.
Late last week the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to appoint Kelly Susewind as the newest director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Susewind, of Olympia, comes to the WDFW following a nearly three-decade-long career with the Washington State Department of Ecology. He was selected following an interview process in May that included seven candidates. Three finalists were brought in for a second interview last week prior to the final vote.
Susewind officially accepted the position of WDFW director following the commission’s vote. As director Susewind will be responsible for 1,800 employees as well as the $460 million operating budget allotted to the WDFW for the current biennium. According to a press release from the department, “WDFW is charged with conserving fish and wildlife and providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities.”
Susewind comes to the WDFW after former director Jim Unsworth resigned his position in February. Unsworth, who previously headed the Idaho fish and game department, had his tenure marred by the rape conviction of a WDFW manager who assaulted a co-worker. Controversy over wolf management in eastern Washington, lost steelhead smolts in the Cowlitz River, and the killing of rescued deer fawns in Rochester also tainted Unsworth’s time at the helm of WDFW.
After Unsworth’s sudden resignation, WDFW employee Joe Stohr was appointed as interim director of the department.
"The commission sincerely appreciates Joe's strong leadership over the past five months," said Commission chairman Brad Smith following last week’s appointment of Susewind as Stohr’s replacement. Stohr will continue to serve as interim director through the end of July. No decision has yet been made about what sort of work Stohr will undertake after his temporary term as WDFW director expires.
Susewind worked in a variety of positions for the Department of Ecology since 1990. Prior to that he spent several years as a private environmental consultant. He grew up in Grays Harbor County and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Washington State University and an associate’s degree in engineering from Grays Harbor College.
"All of the commissioners look forward to a fresh start for WDFW under Kelly's leadership, particularly in the approach our agency takes to improving our working relationships with the Legislature, native American tribes, and the people of Washington to manage the state's wonderful fish and wildlife resources," said Smith, in a press release.
Susewind will begin his work as WDFW director on Aug. 1 and is set to make $165,000 per year.
"Today's appointment marks the beginning of a new era in the department's history," Smith added, in the release. "We have an immensely dedicated, talented, and energetic staff, and we are confident that with Kelly in the director's position, WDFW will achieve the high level of success we expect."
Susewind also expressed excitement over his new position with the state.
"I'm honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of Washington at an agency whose effectiveness is critical to our ability to conserve fish and wildlife resources while providing outdoor recreation and commercial opportunities throughout the state,” said Susewind, in the release. “The public has high expectations for WDFW, and I'm excited about being in a position to deliver the results they deserve."
