New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 22, 2018:

State Game Commission names candidates for next Game and Fish director

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission announced Thursday, the list of the five candidates for the director position of the Department of Game and Fish.

The candidates are:

  • Christopher Chadwick, employed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife biology.
  • Michael Perry, employed by the New Mexico State Land Office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management.
  • Daryl Ratajczak, employed by the U.S. Forest Service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental and forest biology.
  • Matthias Sayer, employed by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. He holds juris doctor and a bachelor’s degree in finance.
  • Michael Sloane, employed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He holds a master’s degree in fisheries and allied aquacultures and a bachelor’s degree in biology.

The commission initiated a nationwide search April 1. By the application deadline of June 1, the commission received 5 applications.

The commission will interview all five candidates based on meeting the requirements including a bachelor’s or higher degree, at least six years of experience in fish and wildlife, leadership responsibility, policy development and budget management.

The national search included advertisements in major newspapers, universities across the country and social media, as well as notifying state wildlife agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute and conservation organizations such as National Audubon Society, Wild Turkey Federation, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, and Trout Unlimited. The department also posted the position announcement on its website, and a link to the announcement was sent to email contacts nationwide.

The commission will conduct interviews June 29 at the department’s Albuquerque office. The commission will name the department’s new director at the July 24 special commission meeting at a site to be determined.

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