Joe Felkl is a life-long Alaskan born and raised in Juneau, Alaska. Mr. Felkl joined the Department of Fish & Game in January 2023. He grew up in a family that enjoyed hunting and fishing in Southeast Alaska and is still an active sport fisherman. On his mother's side, he is a proud member of the Yan Yei Di (Eagle/Wolf) tribe and was raised on traditional values of respect for culture, elders, clans, the bounty of Alaska's resources, and the land itself.

Mr. Felkl received a vocational training scholarship through Tlingit and Haida and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice in 2013. He began his State career with the Alaska Court System, Juneau Trial Courts, providing clerical and in-court assistance to District and Superior Court judges. Afterwards, he worked for the Department of Law for a number of years in various positions, providing a wide range of legal and administrative support to attorneys in the Juneau District Attorney's Office and in the Legislation and Regulations Section. He also spent part of his career at Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education and Alaska Student Loan Corporation gaining valuable board experience. Before joining the department, he was the Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue, serving in dual roles as the department's legislative liaison and public information officer.