Woody Named U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Chief
Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- William Woody has been appointed the new chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Office of Law Enforcement. Woody, who had served as director of Law Enforcement and Security for the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) since 2003, officially joined the Service on March 7, 2011.
As chief, Woody will direct the nationwide investigative and inspection efforts of the Service’s 300-plus special agents and wildlife inspectors, who enforce Federal laws that protect endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, marine mammals, and global wildlife and plant resources.
He will also oversee the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, located in Ashland, Oregon, and National Wildlife Property and Eagle Repositories near Denver and manage enforcement staff involved in policy, budget, legislative, and regulatory affairs; international liaison; enforcement training; intelligence gathering and analysis; and digital evidence recovery and high-tech investigative support.
“Bill Woody has been a tremendous asset to BLM law enforcement, and we expect him to bring similar leadership to our efforts to protect wildlife resources,” said Acting Service Director Rowan Gould. “His knowledge of natural resource law enforcement positions him well to continue our enforcement program’s 111-year record of sustained contributions to wildlife conservation.”
As director of BLM’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security, Woody oversaw the efforts of some 270 rangers and special agents to protect public safety and natural resources on more than 245 million acres of BLM-managed public lands.
His experience in natural resource law enforcement includes more than 15 years with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Hired as a conservation officer in 1985, he worked his way up through the ranks, serving as an investigator, lieutenant, and captain, before being appointed in 2001 to lead that agency’s law enforcement unit.
Woody is a graduate of the elite FBI National Academy, an intensive invitation-only leadership development program whose selectees represent less than half of one percent of police commanders and executive officers. He earned his undergraduate degree at Utah State University.
Woody will be only the 14th individual to direct wildlife law enforcement for the Service and its predecessor agencies. He succeeds Chief Benito Perez, who retired on January 31, 2011, after more than 30 years of protecting wildlife resources at both the State and Federal levels.
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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.