September 2021 - 35

Commissioners pose for a photo with the Game and Fish director. From left to right: Gay Lynn Byrd, Richard Ladwig, Ralph Brokaw, Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik, Pete Dube, Mark Jolovich and
Kenneth Roberts; front: Ashlee Lundvall. (Photo by Mark Gocke/WGFD)
Keith Culver said the opportunity to support
wildlife conservation, hunting and fishing
was key in his decision to pursue a commissioner
position. Upon his retirement from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural
Resources Conservation Service in Newcastle,
Culver was appointed by Gov. Matt Mead to
represent Weston, Crook and Niobrara counties
from 2014-19.
" Since I was a small boy, I have been passionate
about fishing and wildlife, " he said.
" I have a vivid childhood memory of Jack
Newman, who was a game warden and close
friend of our family, sitting at our kitchen table
visiting with my dad about wildlife issues. I
thought he had the best job in the world. "
Beyond bringing a passion and dedication
to wildlife, Commissioners agree to commit
significant time and effort in learning about
the role of the Commission and operations of
Game and Fish. Commissioners must become
familiar with current wildlife issues, which
can vary from law enforcement and disease
to migration and invasive plant management.
" To be honest, I was a bit blindsided, "
Culver said. " I thought I had a good understanding
of the workings of the agency, but
I soon found out I had no idea how broad
and complex the responsibilities and duties
are. Before each meeting, we would receive
Some of today's wildlife management
challenges would be familiar to Nowlin and
early Commissions. Drought, severe winters
and late-spring snowstorms can substantially
impact wildlife, particularly big game herds.
Wyoming Wildlife | 35
a notebook, sometimes two inches thick or
more, which included information and public
comments on each agenda item. "
The Commission holds multi-day public
meetings in rotating locations around the
state seven times a year, and commitments to
additional committees demand more time.
" In my final year I logged 500 hours of
work, " said Hal Corbett, who served from
1993-98, representing Sheridan, Johnson and
Campbell counties. " It is one of the best things
I've done in my career. It was a tremendously
valuable and rewarding thing. "
Added Williams: " Over the six-year term
I spent weeks away from my business, made
decisions that didn't ever please everyone,
served with Commissioners of a like-mind
and wouldn't trade those years for anything.
We did some great things in those six years and
I made lifetime friends along the way. If you
take the appointment you have to be willing
to give it your all for the term. "
" To be honest, I was a bit
blindsided. I thought I had
a good understanding of the
workings of the agency,but
I soon found out I had no
idea how broad and complex
the responsibilities and
duties are. "
- Keith Culver, Game and
Fish Commissioner from
2014-2019

September 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2021