Fisheries Biologist of the Year

The Association’s Biologist of the Year Awards are presented to two career biologists of state wildlife agencies, one each in the categories of wildlife and fisheries, who in the opinion of the SEAFWA Awards Committee have made outstanding contributions toward wildlife/fisheries conservation. Each award is presented during the awards banquet at the Association’s annual conference.

Award Criteria and Nomination Process

All Association member agencies are encouraged to submit nominees for consideration. Nominations should include information on the candidate’s background such as education, training, career accomplishments, and the achievement for which the nomination is being submitted. As much information as practical within the space constraints should be furnished to aid the Committee in making a selection.

Nomination guidelines:

  1. Nominees must be employees of member agencies in the Association and nominations must be submitted through the agency head.
  2. Each state is limited to two nominees annually, one for each category of wildlife and fisheries work.
  3. Nominations may be given for a specific project, a career of work, or a combination of both.
  4. Nominations should consist of a short (250-word) description of the contribution for which the nomination is being made, accompanied by biographical information about the nominee.

Recommendations for any special awards or recognitions to be presented in the name of the SEAFWA may also be made to the Awards Committee.

Nominations should be submitted to SEAFWA Awards Committee Chair.

Recipients
2021
Chad Thomas
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
(news article)
2020
Jeff Evans
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
(news article)
2019
Todd Ewing
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
(news article)
2018
Tom Holman
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
(news article)
2017
George Palmer
Virginia
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
(news article)
2016
Dennis Riecke
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
(news article)
2015
Brian Van Zee
Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
(news article)
2014
Keith Meals
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
2013
Bill Coleman
Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2012
Bennett Wynne
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2011
Paul H. Michaletz
Missouri
Missouri Department of Conservation
2010
Don Fox
Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2009
Keith Ashley
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2008
John Hunt
Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2007
Wesley Porak
Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2006
Bob Glazer
Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2005
Jim Bulak
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
2004
Joe Addison
Alabama
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
2003
Jim Axon
Kentucky
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
2002
Frank McBride
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2001
Gerald L. Buynak
Kentucky
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
2000
Larry Mohn
Virginia
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
1999
James W. (Pete) Kornegay
North Carolina
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1998
Doug Peterson
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
1997
Tom Curtis
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
1996
Steve Filipuk
Arkansas
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission