Monday, October 23, 2000
Contacts: Department of Fish and Game: Jack A. Edwards (916) 653-6420
BLM: Tony Staed or Jan Bedrosian (916) 978-4610
WCB: Jim Sarro (916) 445_8448

Wildlife Conservation Board Names Al Wright as its Executive Director 

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) today approved the appointment of Al Wright as its new executive director.  Wright replaces W. John Schmidt, who recently retired from State service after a 31-year career. Schmidt spent 25 years at the WCB and was named Executive Director in 1982. The primary responsibilities of the WCB are to select, authorize, and allocate funds for the purchase of land and waters suitable for recreational purposes and the preservation, protection and restoration of wildlife habitat.

Most recently Wright served with BLM in California for 13 years, first as Ukiah District Manager overseeing the public lands in the northwest part of the State, and as Associate State Director, with statewide responsibilities for the 14 million acres of BLM public lands in the California.   For the past year and half he served as Acting State Director.

He has been recognized by the Secretary of the Interior and others for his focus on involving local governments and other agencies early in the decision making process and working collaboratively with interest groups and the public in seeking consensus-based solutions to resource issues throughout the State.

Wright was instrumental in developing and implementing the California Biodiversity Agreement, which was formed almost a decade ago to bring Federal, State, and local agencies together through the California Biodiversity Council in helping to protect the State's natural diversity while maintaining its economic vitality.  He chaired the Council's Executive Committee for several years. 

In the mid-1990s, he helped create the California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism, a partnership of Federal, State, local governments, and private interests aimed at providing unified recreation opportunities and information for visitors to the State's public lands.

Wright was the recipient of the Secretary of Interior's Meritorious Service award as well as other commendations throughout his career, which included assignments in Nevada, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. in addition to California.

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