Denby S. Lloyd, Commissioner
Tim Barry, Communications Director
P.O. Box115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Phone: (907) 465-6137 • Fax: (907) 465-2332
Press Release: No. 08-16, October 14, 2008
Contact: Tim Barry, Communications Director, (907) 465-6137
Craig Fleener Appointed Director of the Subsistence Division for ADF&G
Commissioner Denby Lloyd announced today the appointment of Craig Fleener as the Director of the Division of Subsistence in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). “Craig is exactly the kind of person we need to lead our Subsistence Division,” said Lloyd. “His background, his expertise and his energy will be welcome additions to our department.”
Fleener is a lifelong Alaskan from Fort Yukon. He has worked as an environmental manager, project coordinator, wildlife biologist, natural resources director and Executive Director of the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments. Fleener has served in the military for more than 21 years and is currently an Intelligence Officer in the Alaska Air National Guard. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including Gwich’in Council International, the Alaska Native Health Board and the Eastern Interior Subsistence Federal Regional Advisory Committee. He served as deputy mayor of Fort Yukon, and is a member of the Alaska Board of Game. Fleener holds a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and has completed substantial graduate work in resource management at the University of Calgary.
As director of the Division of Subsistence, Fleener will oversee a staff of 37 people, who conduct research about customary and traditional uses of Alaskan fish and wildlife resources, quantify this research and provide it to the public. The information gathered by the division is vital to the development of science-based fisheries and wildlife management programs of ADF&G, and is used by the Alaska Boards of Fisheries and Game in evaluating reasonable opportunities for customary and traditional uses.
Fleener replaces former Subsistence Division Director Elizabeth Andrews, who retired in July. He will resign as a member of the Board of Game, and begin his service as director on October 16th.
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