On October 22, President Donald J. Trump announced that he was nominating Aurelia Skipwith for the position of Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Skipwith has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks for the last year and half. She holds a master’s degree in molecular genetics from Purdue University as well as a law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Prior to joining the Department of the Interior she worked in the agriculture industry in a private firm that she co-founded, AVC Global, as well as for Monsanto as Sustainable Agriculture Partnership Manager.

“I am deeply honored that President Trump has considered me for the role of Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Skipwith in a statement. “During the past 18 months as Deputy Assistant Secretary, I have had the distinction to work with dedicated people of the Service to ensure the implementation of this Administration’s and Secretary Zinke’s policies to protect our species, increase public access, and ensure science is at forefront of our decisions. If confirmed, I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Service in achieving a conservation legacy second only to President Teddy Roosevelt.”

Also at the end of October, the Department announced that Margaret Everson would become the agency’s principal deputy director. Everson had been serving as the chief policy officer for Ducks Unlimited and previously was the general counsel for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. From 2006 to 2008, Everson worked as counselor for Dale Hall when he was director of the FWS, and prior to that she worked in the Department of the Interior’s Solicitor’s office.