Wyoming Game Wardens Association

AWARDS, TRANSFERS, RETIREMENTS

Ron Iversen

Ron Iversen will retire on June 30 after putting in over 37 years with the Department and over 34 years as a Damage Control Warden in Lander and Game Warden in Baggs. Ron served as Vice President from 1998-2000 and as President of the Association from 2000-2002 and was the Retirement Benefits Committee Chair.

Scott Edberg

Casper Wildlife Supervisor Scott Edberg was promoted June 1, 2011 to be the assistant chief game warden of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Edberg fills the shoes of Scott Talbott who was appointed to be the department director by Gov. Matt Mead. Edberg had served as interim assistant chief game warden after Talbott was appointed in February 2011. The 21-year G&F veteran began his Wyoming career as a wildlife biologist aide in Pinedale. His trail of promotions from there: Glenrock game warden in February 1991; assistant wildlife supervisor for the Jackson/Pinedale Region in December 1999 and Casper region wildlife supervisor in May 2004. Edberg was honored as the “1997 Wildlife Officer of the Year” for Wyoming by Shikar-Safari Club International.

Brian Nesvik

Cody Supervisor Brian Nesvik was selected as the Chief Game Warden on May 1. Brian began in 1995 on the Reservoir Crew in Casper and Glendo and became the Elk Mtn Game Warden in 1998. After being prop-erly trained in the Laramie Region, Brian transferred to South Pinedale in 2005. Brian was promoted to Cody Wildlife Supervisor in 2010. As a Colonel in the WY ANG, he served two tours in Iraq and Kuwait. Brian received the 2008 WGWA Officer of the Year award and the Shikar Safari award in 2007. Brian served as Vice President of the Assn from 2006-2008 and as President from 2008-2010.

Jay Laywson

Chief Game Warden Jay Lawson retired on April 8 after more than 33 years of service to the Department. Jay started as the Lovell Game Warden in 1978 and transferred to Thermopolis in 1982. In 1985 he was promoted to Laramie Wildlife Supervisor and in 1989, Jay was promoted to Chief Game Warden where he served with distinc-tion and dedication for 22 years. Jay served as Vice President of the Association in 1984 until he was promoted to Supervisor in 1985. Jay‟s dedication to the wildlife resource and wildlife law enforcement was well known, and the proceeds from his book, “Men to Match the Mountains” funded a DNA Sequencer at the G&F Forensic Lab. Jay was an outstanding promoter and supporter of the Wyoming Game Wardens Association and donated numerous items for use as raf-fle/auction items at the Annual Meetings. The Association wishes Jay all the best for a full recovery.

Governor Matt Mead appointed Scott Talbott as the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish in mid February 2011.

Talbott, 48, is a 26-year Game and Fish Department veteran, starting as a laborer at the Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area in April 1985. He also worked as an elk feeder at the Jewett Feedground and technician at the Sheridan Bird Farm, before starting his law enforcement career as a seasonal game warden in Green River. He also was stationed at Glendo before beginning his permanent service as the Casper damage control warden in June 1988. An impressive history of promotions ensue: Newcastle game warden October 1989, Green River Region wildlife supervisor April 1995, Casper Region wildlife supervisor May 1997, and assistant chief game warden in January 2004.

Bernie Holz, former Wyoming Game Warden and Regional Wildlife Supervisor retires

Bernie Holz recently retired from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department as the Pinedale Regional Wildlife Supervisor. Bernie worked for the Department for more than twenty-seven years. In 1983, Bernie was the game warden trainee in Glenrock. The next year he was promoted to the Torrington game warden; in 1985 he served as the Big Piney game warden. He was promoted to the position of the regional supervisor in Jackson/Pinedale in 1995. Bernie retained his supervisory status in Pinedale when the two areas were split. Chief game warden Jay Lawson conveys the fact that, "Bernie's most significant accomplishment has been his effort to identify and preserve big game migration corridors in western Wyoming. That will surely be his most lasting legacy.

Kent Schmidlin enjoying a day in the field.

Kent Schmidlin, Lander Region Wildlife Supervisor, retired July 1, 2010. Kent began his career with the Wyoming Game and Fis Department in 1979 as a warden trainee in Green River. His first game warden district was Jeffrey City; Kent transferred to the Jackson warden district in 1984. Kent was promoted to the Lander Wildlife Supervisor in 1990, where he served until his retirement. Kent worked hard for the wildlife resource his entire career, earning him deep respect from those he worked with.

Gary Brown with Dave & Nancy Freudenthal in Wyoming's Thoroughfare.

Gary Brown, Cody Regional Wildlife Supervisor, retired July 1, 2010 after nearly 37 years with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. In 1974, Gary put on the red shirt of a Wyoming game warden, serving in Green River, Cheyenne, and Saratoga. Gary moved to Cody in 1989 as the widlife supervisor, where he quickly gained the respect of the public and those he supervised. If you find yourself in the backcountry west of Cody, chances are you'll see Gary Brown enjoying the resource he dedicated most of his life conserving.

GAME AND FISH DEPUTY DIRECTOR GREGG ARTHUR RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS OF SERVICE

Gregg enjoying a float-tube which has replaced his administrative chair

Gregg Arthur, Deputy Director for Internal Operations, recently retired after more than 35 years of service with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Gregg Arthur started his WGFD career directly out of college as an assistant at the Downar Bird Farm near Yoder where he served for three years. Most of his career was spent in various wildlife law enforcement positions beginning with game warden trainee positions in Jackson and Newcastle in 1977. He was promoted to the Jeffrey City district in April 1978 and transferred to Greybull in September 1979. In July 1984, he was named the wildlife investigator in Laramie and in March 1995 promoted to Laramie Region supervisor. He was promoted to deputy director in June 2001. While in Laramie, he was recipient of the Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year award for the State of Wyoming.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Steve Ferrell said Arthur will be missed. “As a Director, I could not effectively have carried out my daily duties and responsibilities without Gregg assuring that the Department was dotting all the necessary “I’s” and crossing the “T’s” that are absolutely essential to having an effective agency and productive workforce,” Ferrell said. “Gregg’s support, encouragement, and advice were extremely valuable to me. He truly was the glue that held the many pieces of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department together. He taught each of us the true meaning of “Conserving Wildlife - Serving People”.

Chris Queen, Powell Game Warden, 2010 Shikar Safari Club
International Wildlife Officer of the year

Duane Kerr (left) recipient of the 2009 Wyoming Game Wardens Association Officer of the year.

Colonel William D. Pickett Pickett ranched near Greybull, Wyoming and was vice-president of the Boone & Crocket Club. Inducted in 2009.

Pickett was a Greybull, Wyoming area rancher in the late 1800's. He served on the Wyoming legislature for three years and was one of the earliest members of the Boone & Crockett Club the group Theodore Roosevelt created in 1887 “to work for the preservation of large game in this country” and “to promote inquiry into, and to record observations on, the habits and natural history of various wild animals.” Pickett served as the organization’s vice president in 1897.

Terry Cleveland Cleveland was named as the Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 2003 and served until 2008. Cleveland is a charter member of the Wyoming Game Wardens Association and past president. Inducted in 2009.

Cleveland served the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for 39 years, dealing with high-profile issues involving sensitive species, and worked with the Wyoming legislature to obtain funding for the agency. He has received many awards, including the Phillip W. Schneider Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest recognition the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies can bestow.

Olin D. Sims Sims was a Wyomng native and was known as one of the most conservation-minded, progressive ranchers in Wyoming. Inducted in 2009.

Sims planned many of the family ranch’s conservation projects, including the reconstruction of a dam to improve wetlands, fencing and cross-fencing pastures, developing water sources for livestock and wildlife, and adopting state-of-the-art approaches to grazing management. The ranch developed an intensive range-monitoring program to better track changes in forage due to their management.

Nominated by any member of the Association, although each Regional Director is asked to provide at least one name and a writeup of the individual.

Winner is selected by the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the previous two years winners. In case of a tie, the Executive Officer casts a vote. Winner is announced at the WGWA banquet at the annual meeting.

Winner is offered an expenses paid trip to the annual NAWEOA meeting in the summer. Winner also receives an engraved plaque.

Letters of nomination are sent to the Chief Game Warden for inclusion in their respective personnel files.

1987 – Barry Floyd, Sundance Game Warden
1988 – Tim Fagan, Cody Damage Control Warden
1989 – John Demaree, Laramie Damage Control Warden
1990 – Scott Talbott, Newcastle Game Warden
1991 – Mark Bruscino, Lovell Game Warden
1992 – Russ Pollard, Statewide Law Enforcement Coordinator
1993 – Dave Hays, Douglas Game Warden
1994 – Neil Hymas, Cokeville Game Warden
1995 – Jim Oudin, Cody Wildlife Investigator
1996 – Ron Iversen, Baggs Game Warden
1997 – Fred Herbel, Jackson Wildlife Investigator
1998 – Bruce Scigliano, North Gillette Game Warden
1999 – Lin Bashford, Cody Wildlife Investigator
2000 – Mac Black, Powell Game Warden
2001 – Duane Hyde, Afton Game Warden
2002 – Joe Gilbert, Torrington Game Warden
2003 – Terry Cram, Sheridan Game Warden
2004 – Dennis Almquist, Pinedale Game Warden
2005 – Alan Osterland, Dayton Game Warden
2006 – Brad Hovinga, Big Piney Game Warden
2007 – Tim Fuchs, South Jackson Game Warden
2008 – Brian Nesvik, South Pinedale Game warden
2009 – Duane Kerr, Green River Game Warden
2010 – Southwest Wyoming Wildlife Investigator

Initiated in 1994, to honor a non-law enforcement person for the previous year's service to Wyoming wildlife law enforcement.

Nominated by any member of the Association, although each Regional Director is asked to provide at least one name and a writeup of the individual.

Winner is selected by the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and in case of a tie, the Executive Officer. Winner is announced at the WGWA banquet during the annual meeting.

Winner is offered an expenses paid trip to the annual WGWA meeting to receive the award. Winner also receives an engraved plaque. Other nominees receive a certificate of appreciation.

Letters of nomination are forwarded to the Chief Game Warden for inclusion in their respective personnel files.

1994 - Kevin Hurley, Thermopolis Biologist
1995 - Ron Lockwood, Kemmerer Biologist
1996 - Tom Stoker, SALECS Operator
1997 - Ron Arnold, WGFD Attorney General
1998 - Olin Oedekoven, Gillette Biologist
1999 - Dr. Beth Williams, Wyoming State Vet Lab
2000 - Nancey Leibert, Cody Office Manager
2001 – Bart Kroger, Douglas Biologist
2002 - Judge Scott Cole, Platte County
2003 – WGFD Forensic Lab (Tom Moore, Dee Dee Hawk, Kim Sargeant, Scott Sharpe)
2004 – Judge Frank Zebre, Sublette County
2005 – Ralph Boynton, Sublette County Attorney
2006 – Jeff Obrecht, WGFD I&E Specialist - Cheyenne
2007 – Bea Pepper, Wildlife Division Program Manager - Cheyenne
2008 – Levi Martin, Senior Assistant Attorney General
2009 – Stephanie Bomar, Sheridan Region clerical specialist 2006 – Jeff
2010 – Joe Tenant, SALECS Dispatcher

This yearly award is sponsored by the Safari Club International. Each recipient receives an engraved plaque and a $500 donation is made in their name to the Wildlife Officers Memorial Fund. The WGFD allows the officer to attend an out-of-state training conference of their choice. Officers are nominated by their peers and selected by the WGFD administration. The award is presented annually at the Hunting and Fishing Heritage Exposition Banquet.

1968 – Bill Morris, Cody Supervisor
1969 – Dewey Henderson, Laramie Supervisor
1970 – Max Long, Rock Springs Game Warden
1971 – Darwin Creek, Pinedale Game Warden
1972 – Paul Breed, Sheridan Game Warden
1973 – Dave Bragonier, Cody Game Warden
1974 – Jim Bradley, Green River Enforcement Specialist
1975 – Ray Arzy, Laramie Game Warden
1976 – George Carson, Green River Game Warden
1977 – Allen Round, Rock Springs Game Warden
1978 – Dennis Smith, Rawlins Game Warden
1979 – Bob Sexton, Laramie Enforcement Specialist
1980 – Rick Pallister, Gillette Game Warden
1981 – Russ Pollard, Douglas Enforcement Specialist
1982 – Craig Sax, Mountain View Game Warden
1983 – Terry Cleveland, Casper Supervisor
1984 – Gary Brown, Saratoga Game Warden
1985 – Tim Fuchs, Lusk Game Warden
1986 – Gregg Arthur, Laramie Enforcement Specialist
1987 – Barry Floyd, Sundance Game Warden
1988 – Biff Burton, Gillette Game Warden
1989 – Kay Bowles, Dubois Game Warden
1990 – Scott Norelius, Sundance Game Warden
1991 – Scott Talbott, Newcastle Game Warden
1992 – Terry Cram, Sheridan Game Warden
1993 – Dave Avey, Casper Game Warden
1994 – Jim Oudin, Cody Wildlife Investigator
1995 – Joe Gilbert, Torrington Game Warden
1996 – Cole Thompson, Dubois Game Warden
1997 – Scott Edberg, Glenrock Game Warden
1998 – Gary Shorma, Sheridan Supervisor
1999 – Tim Fagan, Cody Game Warden
2000 – Bruce Scigliano, Gillette Game Warden
2001 – Alan Osterland, Dayton Game Warden
2002 – Dennis Almquist, Pinedale Game Warden
2003 – John Demaree, Laramie Wildlife Investigator
2004 – Bob Trebelcock, Lander Game Warden
2005 – Fred Herbel, Jackson Wildlife Investigator
2006 – Rod Lebert, Douglas Game Warden
2007 – Brian Nesvik, Pinedale Game Warden
2008 – John Lund , Casper Game Warden
2009 – Chris Teter, Sundance Game Warden
2010 – Chris Queen, Powell Game Warden

Alan Osterland – Cody Regional Wildlife Supervisor, formerly Dayton Game Warden

Rick King – Laramie Regional Wildlife Supervisor, formerly Lovell Game Warden

Dustin Kirsch – Mountain View Game Warden, formerly Green River Game Warden

Christopher Baird – Newcastle Game Warden, formerly Cheyenne Game Warden (Chris Reynolds)

Scott Edberg – Assistant Division Chief, formerly Casper Regional Wildlife Supervisor

Terry Cleveland – WGFD Director , formerly Assistant Wildlife Chief, Casper Regional Supervisor, Jeffrey City, Greybull and Saratoga Game Warden – 2008 - 39 years of Service

Gregg Arthur – WGFD Deputy Director, formerly Laramie Regional Supervisor, Laramie Wildlife Investigator, Jeffrey City and Greybull Game Warden – 2010 – 33 years of Service

Gary Brown – Cody Regional Supervisor, formerly Cheyenne and Saratoga Game Warden – 2010 – 37 years of Service

Kent Schmidlin – Lander Regional Supervisor, formerly Jeffrey City and Jackson Game Warden – 2010 – 32 years of Service

Bernie Holz – Pinedale Regional Supervisor, formerly Torrington and Big Piney Game Warden – 2010 – 27 years of Service

Mark Nelson – Game Warden in Lovell, Elk Mountain and Cheyenne totalled 19 years. Mark served as Vice President from 2004-2006 and as President of the Association from 2006-2008.

Jay Lawson – Chief Game Warden - retired on April 8 after more than 33 years of service to the Department.

Jared Nelson – Green River Game Warden
Troy Tobiasson – Sheridan Game Warden
Jessica Julien – Lander Game Warden
Mark DeHart – Cody Game Warden