WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced Wyoming’s own Brian Nesvik at a nomination hearing to be the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Brian Nesvik served as Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director for more than 29 years before retiring in 2024. He also served in the Wyoming Army National Guard for 35 years, retiring with the rank of brigadier general. He graduated from the University of Wyoming.

President Trump nominated Brian Nesvik to serve as the next Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on February 12, 2025.

His nomination hearing was held today by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Click here to watch a video of Senator Barrasso’s introduction of Brian Nesvik.

Senator Barrasso’s remarks:

“Thank you for allowing me to take just a few moments to help in joining in the introduction of Brian Nesvik.

“He’s been nominated to be the head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s critical to Wyoming and the nation. It’s an agency that plays a crucial role in the conservation and management of our nation’s natural resources.

“This agency serves as the cornerstone of our efforts to protect wildlife while following the best available science. From managing national wildlife refuges, to implementing programs that enhance habitat restoration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are the front lines preserving our nation’s resources.

“Over the last four years, politics has driven much of the agency’s decisions, rather than following the science. For example, the greater Yellowstone ecosystem population of grizzly bears has been fully recovered for 20 years.

“Republican administrations, Democratic administrations all agreed for 20 years: the grizzly bear was fully recovered. In my home state of Wyoming, we are proud of its lead role in leading this recovery and investing over $50 million to this end.

“Brian Nesvik played a large role in advocating for Wyoming and advancing these policies.

“He served as the Wyoming Game and Fish Director since 2019 until his retirement in September.

“He grew up in Cheyenne, graduated from Cheyenne East High School, went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in wildlife and fisheries, biology and management from the University of Wyoming. He was selected by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to serve as a wildlife law enforcement technician in 1995.

“He’s dealt with significant endangered species issues all the way throughout involving both grizzly bears and wolves. He dealt with complex elk management challenges with the herds of the elk around Yellowstone National Park.

“In March of 2019, he was appointed to be the director of Wyoming Game and Fish – but additionally, I actually first met him when he served in the Wyoming Army National Guard. He’s been in the Guard since ‘86. He currently serves as the Commanding General for the Wyoming National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General holding the rank of Brigadier General.

“I visited with him when he was leading troops in Kuwait. I think Cynthia was there with me on that trip when we were there for Thanksgiving with him, where we saw that he was a respected and admired leader of the troops.

“He served as a Commander of two deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad in southern Iraq and in Kuwait. In 2005, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by the U.S. Army for his service. He graduated the Army War College and holds a master’s of science degree in strategic studies.

“He’s smart. He’s capable. He’s strategic. I want to congratulate him on this nomination.

“I look forward to working with him on all of these important issues and provide the very best for Wyoming and for the nation.”

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