U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Appointment of Jerome Ford As Assistant Director for Migratory Birds
Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe announced today that Jerome Ford has been named as the Service’s Assistant Director for Migratory Birds.
Ford, who began his career with the Service in the late 80s as a co-op student, has served as Deputy Director of the Migratory Bird Program since 2008.
As Assistant Director, Ford will oversee the diverse activities of the Migratory Bird Program, which administers the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other federal migratory bird laws, implements and oversees bird management and conservation programs across North America, and coordinates the monitoring and assessment of both game and nongame migratory birds.
“Jerome Ford has been a valuable asset to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service throughout his career, and I welcome the outstanding leadership and dedication he brings to this position,” said Ashe.
“I am confident his many years of dedicated service will serve him well as he continues his efforts on behalf of the nation?s migratory bird and waterfowl resources.”
Ford will also be responsible for the management of two multi-million dollar grant programs, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA). The program also administers the ?Duck Stamp? program, which is an internationally recognized program that generates more revenue to help continue the conservation of the migratory bird?s habitat.
Ford grew up in rural Homer, Louisiana (Claiborne Parish) farming, fishing and hunting. He holds a bachelor?s degree in wildlife biology from Grambling State University. While at Grambling, he participated in the Service’s student co-op program, working at multiple refuges in Louisiana.
Ford’s first full-time position with the Service was as the Assistant Refuge Manager at Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge, located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He later became the Deputy Project Leader at the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, which was established to provide winter and feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl.
In 1994, he became the Project Leader at Bayou Cocodrie NWR in eastern Louisiana, where he spent six years managing habitat for neo-tropical songbirds and the threatened Louisiana black bear. In 2000, he transferred to the nearly 70,000 acre Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge as Project Leader. This refuge is dedicated to migratory waterfowl, neo-tropical songbirds, Louisiana black bear and providing recreational opportunities for the public. In 2006, he moved to Washington, DC to serve as the Special Assistant to the Director.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.
For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.
About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.