Beginning October 1, 2016, Rusty Garrison began serving as the Director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.
Garrison has been with DNR for 18 years, having served most recently as the manager of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. He has served in numerous other capacities, including Assistant Chief of Game Management, State Coordinator of Project WILD, and Chief of the DNR Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Before his career with DNR, Garrison worked for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service for nearly nine years.
Garrison holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences and a Master of Science in Wildlife Biology, both from the University of Georgia. He is active in his local community, having previously volunteered as a firefighter and first responder for his county EMS. Garrison has traveled to over 65 countries while on mission trips and remains active in his local church. He is married to his wife, Sue, has three daughters, and is a proud grandfather.