Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Executive Director Gary Myers formally announced his retirement effective March 1, 2009, during today's meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission in Kingsport.
After 30 years at the helm of TWRA, insiders have long anticipated Myers' retirement. He is 73 years old. Today Commissioners pressured Myers to provide an exact date so they could plan for his replacement.
Myers spent 11 years working for the Colorado Game & Fish Dept. before coming to TWRA in 1974 as Asst. Director of Field Operations. He became the TWRA Executive Director in 1978.
Myers has been recognized for his exemplary work by many conservation groups over the years. Just two months ago he was named the Tennessee Outdoors Sportsman of the Year during the annual Legends of The Outdoors National Hall of Fame Banquet in Nashville.
He also recently received the George Bird Grinnell Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Natural Resource Conservation. The Grinnell Award salutes a person whose career in conservation has been exemplified by integrity, leadership, foresight and achievement.
"Mr. Myers is respected across the nation for the many forward-thinking projects he has been a part of to help manage wildlife and fish, including his participation in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan,” noted Gary Mason, founder of the Legends Hall of Fame. “Tennessee’s hunters and fishermen have been lucky to have him as a director of our state agency for many years.”
In addition to leading TWRA during a critical era of wildlife restoration, Myers was president of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in 1986 and has served on numerous national fish, wildlife, and boating committees throughout his career.
Myers' retirement will usher in a new era of wildlife management in Tennessee, and many wonder who might, or can, fill his shoes.
There is conjecture that the TWRC could appoint Asst. Director Nat Johnson as Interim Director.
Ron Fox is another longtime TWRA Asst. Director, however he is most likely also very close to retirement.
The TWRC is expected to announce more specific plans about the search for Myers replacement on Thursday.