My 2 Cents

Writing my first column as the new director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department comes with a bit of reflection.

My career with the Department began as a temporary employee back in 1998 and at that time, Dean Hildebrand was the director. For those of you who knew Dean, you know what a charismatic individual he was. He loved crowds and loved to tell stories to anyone willing to listen. That didn’t change right up until his retirement in 2005. There wasn’t much that could take the energy and enthusiasm away from Dean, but an unfortunate bout with cancer did just that as he sadly passed away in 2008. Dean was a people person, who had a big impact on the state and many people along the way. Myself included.

Following Dean’s retirement, Terry Steinwand was appointed director in early 2006 and led the agency for 15 years. I’m not sure which is more uncommon, Terry’s tenure as Game and Fish director for 15 years or my career as a Department employee only working under two directors over a 22-year career. Either way, most Game and Fish agencies across the country aren’t accustomed to the length of careers that either Terry or Dean had while occupying the director’s chair.

Terry served under three governors, supported programs that led to some of the best hunting and fishing opportunities the state has ever experienced, navigated the Department through debates over wildlife impacts associated with various energy development projects, and was determined to find a reasonable solution to the long-standing disagreement on North Dakota’s private land posting laws. Just to name a few.

While I’m excited as to what the future holds, I’m grateful for the service of my (your) previous directors and the expectation of serving the public with respect and professionalism that people deserve from a public agency.

Dean and Terry did some things differently, as will I, but the one simple commitment that will remain consistent is our customer service and the importance of the Department working directly with our interested and impacted public on fish and wildlife management issues that are so critical to our residents and the state.