Fish and Game Commission Announces Director Candidates

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission is pleased to announce six candidates for the position of director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Commissioners will interview each candidate during March and make an appointment by the end of the month to replace Director Cal Groen, who is retiring. The six individuals have executive level experience in conservation and wildlife management and have demonstrated competencies that are relevant to the wildlife management needs of the State of Idaho. Steve Ferrell: Recently held the position of director for Wyoming Game and Fish Department and currently works as a policy advisor in the Wyoming Governor's Office. Ferrell has worked in wildlife management for 36 years, holding the position of director in Wyoming from 2008 to 2011. Before moving to Wyoming, Ferrell had a long and varied career with Arizona Fish and Game, reaching the position of deputy director before departing for Wyoming. Ferrell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Arizona. Sharon Kiefer: Assistant director of policy for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Kiefer has worked in wildlife management for 26 years and has worked within Idaho Fish and Game for 24 of those years, holding various management positions including inter-governmental policy coordinator and anadromous fishery manager. Kiefer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin University and a Master of Science degree from Texas State University. Virgil Moore: Deputy director for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game over field operations. Moore has 34 years of experience in wildlife management and before taking his current position in 2007, worked as the director for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Moore has held numerous executive management positions within Idaho Fish and Game including fisheries bureau chief, information and education bureau chief and various management positions within the fisheries bureau. Moore holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and education from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Science degree in zoology from Idaho State University. Michael Senn: Assistant director of wildlife management for Arizona Game and Fish Department. Senn has been employed with the Arizona Game and Fish Department for nearly 23 years, with 11 of those years in executive level management positions including nine years as the assistant director over field operations. Senn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management from Arizona State University and has been an Arizona certified peace officer for 21 years. Edward Schriever: Fisheries bureau chief for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Schriever has 27 years of experience with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game holding various management positions including regional fisheries manager and regional fisheries biologist. Schriever holds a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries science from Oregon State University. James Unsworth: Deputy director for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game over Programs. Unsworth has 32 years in wildlife management and before his current appointment which he has held since 2008. Unsworth held several management level positions for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game including wildlife bureau chief and state big game manager. Unsworth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management from University of Idaho, a Master of Science degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University and a doctor of philosophy degree in forestry, wildlife and range sciences from University of Idaho.