Joe Elkins (center) holds his award for being named Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Biologist of the Year for 2018. Pictured (from left) are Ed Carter (TWRA Executive Director), Jeff Cook (Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission Chairman), John Mike (TWRA Region IV), John Mike Wildlife Manager), and Kirk Miles (Wildlife and Forestry Assistant Chief).
Joe Elkins and Freddie Kelley were honored by being named the 2018 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Wildlife Biologist of the Year and Wildlife Technician of the Year, respectively.
The annual awards were announced last month and the awards were presented at the October meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. Division Assistant Chief Kirk Miles made the presentation.
Mr. Elkins has served as the manager of North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area since 2013. At close to 190,000 acres, is one of the largest WMAs in the state. He began his TWRA career in 2001 and initially served as the forester for North Cumberland.
At North Cumberland WMA, he currently supervises seven staff members and coordinates activities of six additional staff assigned to the area. Mr. Elkins is one of the main forces behind successful programs that include the Off Highway Vehicle Program, Elk Program, and Forestry Programs.
Mr. Elkins is a native of East Tennessee and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Joe is a United States Army Veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division during the initial assault into Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
Mr. Kelley has served the TWRA for 25 years and works out of the Region III Tellico Lake and South Cherokee WMA. He is regarded by his colleagues as “poster-child” wildlife technician, not only knowledgeable in wildlife habitat management practices and techniques, he is also a highly skilled tradesman with an extensive background and training in farming, lands management, prescribed fire, logging, carpentry, welding, general construction, and auto mechanics make him invaluable to the Wildlife Management Division.
During the past year, Mr. Kelley coordinated and oversaw the prescribed burning of nearly 200 acres of fields and 80 acres of forest on Tellico Lake WMA. In addition to his WMA prescribed fire duties, he also worked on three separate two-week wildland firefighting details for the U.S. Forest Service.
Mr. Kelly helped lead wildlife education activities at the Annual Eco Days Event at Indian Boundary Campground on South Cherokee WMA. He also was involved with Memorial Day, Free Fishing Day, and Veteran’s Day fishing events at the Tellico River on South Cherokee WMA.
This past year, Mr. Kelley was instrumental in the initial response and recovery process after a U.S. Navy training jet crashed in the South Cherokee Forest. He was working a bear hunt at the North River Check Station when the jet crashed in the late afternoon. Freddie heard the explosion nearby. He immediately responded and was the second person to arrive at the crash site. Freddie helped lead first responders to the site, and with his extensive knowledge of the local terrain, he was crucial to the entire rescue/recovery process.
Freddie Kelley (second from left) is the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Technician of the Year for 2018. Pictured (from left) are Ed Carter (TWRA Executive Director), Kelley, Kirk Miles (former Region III Wildlife Manager and recently-appointed Wildlife and Forestry Assistant Chief) and Jeff Cook (Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission Chairman).