What does an agency lose when a member of its family leaves after four decades? Countless memories, a strong work ethic and organizational knowledge that will only be known by the next generation that meets this monumental occasion. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has had not only one but two employees retire, each with four decades of service. Mr. Wayne Hedgecoth and Mr. Tommy Waltman, long serving employees with TWRA at the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area (WMA), retired from the agency after a combined 80 plus years and they will be sorely missed.
Mr. Hedgecoth and Mr. Waltman's career achievements are extensive. Both saw and joined in changes in land management practices and participated in TWRA’s statewide restoration of whitetail deer and turkey. Both were involved with some of the first prescribed burning management on Catoosa WMA and both watched the land management program grow and succeed in bringing back short leaf pines in the oak pine savannahs. Both were also commissioned officers for some time, but gave up their commission to focus on WMA work.
Mr. Hedgecoth was known for his overwhelming knowledge on the WMA and was referred to as “Boss”. He trained Mr. Waltman in the mid 1970s. Since then, both men trained the majority of workers on the WMA. Mr. Waltman was known for pride of ownership and his tractor always had a sparkling interior and shiny tires. Keeping equipment clean and in good running condition was a necessity. Because he was so innovative, he was consulted before large projects and he often saved TWRA time and money. Mr. Hedgecoth was the go to person for ideas to build just about anything. “He’d form a plan in his head and then put everyone to work” said Jim Lane, Catoosa WMA manager.
Mr. Lane added, “Both men were great employees and we hated to lose them. We didn’t want to encourage them to retire, but we did encourage them to spend time with their families”.
Work on the WMA is ever changing and no two days are alike. Employees are known to be versatile and are expected to work in all conditions. Catoosa is a special place because of the care and commitment of TWRA employees like Mr. Hedgecoth and Mr. Waltman. 40 years is a long time to spend with an agency. When asked what they enjoyed most about working on the WMA, their answers were similar. Mr. Waltman replied, “I enjoyed being outside, living with wildlife. It was a good job and I enjoyed it. It would make a good career for someone new.” Mr. Hedgecoth shared the same sentiment, “I loved being outside and the job was never boring.”
For information regarding employment with TWRA visit: tnwildlife.org.