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Governor-Elect Gianforte Names FWP Transition Team

Montana's Republican Governor-elect Greg Gianforte announced his transition advisory team for the department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 

A press release Monday says the team will review candidates for the next director of FWP. 

The team includes several hunting and fishing industry members, former and current county and state elected officials, several ranchers and the director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 

Gianforte said in the press release that Montana’s landowners, hunters, and anglers share a tradition of working together to protect lands and conserve wildlife, adding, "We need a leader at the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks who is committed to strengthening this tradition."

FWP is currently led by Martha Williams, who was appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock in 2017. Gianforte campaigned on a comprehensive review of state agencies with likely leadership changes. 

Members of Governor-elect Gianforte’s FWP transition advisory team are:

Cheryl Arnaud – owner of Montana Hunting Company

Ed Beall – president of Capital Sports & Western; bowhunter education instructor

Shane Gorder – Richland County Commissioner; former president of Montana Association of Counties; rancher

Steve Harada, MBA – faculty member at Ft. Peck Community College; former president of Walleyes Unlimited of Montana

John Lane – rancher and co-founder of Devil’s Kitchen Management Area

Matt Lumley – vice president of the National Trappers Association

Chuck Rein – president of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association

Lesley Robinson – former Phillips County Commissioner; rancher

Scott Sales – Montana state senator (SD-35) and president of the Montana State Senate; former speaker of the Montana House of Representatives

KC Walsh – executive chairman of Simms Fishing Products; director of the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

John Way – fishing guide and owner of the Tackle Shop in Ennis

Kerry White – executive director of Citizens for Balanced Use; Montana state representative (HD-64)

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