Kendra Wecker, the chief of Ohio's Division of Wildlife, has recently ascended to a new height in her esteemed career, being named Chair of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Executive Committee. The appointment, as reported by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, tasked her with a one-year term at the helm of the committee. AFWA represents an assembly of all North American fish and wildlife agencies, prioritizing sound, science-based management and conservation strategies to serve the public interest.
With three decades of experience at her back, she engages with her peers from across various states — Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. They are charged with key organizational decisions, including the hiring of an executive director and other personnel, and approving the committee's budget. Wecker's expertise is expected to be pivotal for AFWA, whose voice echoes through the corridors of wildlife management, shaping policy and practice.
The Division of Wildlife, which Wecker has led since January 2019, has been a longstanding ally and collaborator with both the AFWA and the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
Throughout her tenure, Wecker has accumulated a trove of accolades under her leadership role, including but not limited to awards like Wildlife Conservationist of the Year and State Conservation Partner of the Year from various conservation bodies. Adding to her repertoire of roles, Wecker also carries the responsibility instilled by a U.S. Presidential appointment as a U.S. Commissioner for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
