Oregon Fish and Wildlife Director Resigns

     Date:

June 22, 2007

     Contact:

Rick Hargrave (503) 947-6020

SALEM , Ore. —Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Director, Virgil Moore announced his resignation today, to be effective July 12. 

"This was an extremely difficult decision for me," said Moore .  “However, for personal reasons, I’ve decided to return to Idaho .

"It has been a great privilege to have served as director for Oregon Fish and Wildlife.  Oregon is fortunate to have such dedicated and professional employees working to preserve and protect the state’s fish and wildlife,” said Moore . 

Moore is returning to Idaho to take the Deputy Director position at Idaho Fish and Game.  Moore , 55, worked for the Idaho agency for 29 years before taking the ODFW director position in August, 2006.          

“This position gives me the opportunity to balance my personal and professional needs,” Moore said.

"We are extremely sorry to see Virgil leave, but we understand his need to be with his family," said Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair, Marla Rae.  "Virgil made significant progress on many important initiatives with full Commission support.  Under his brief tenure, the department has made tremendous steps in implementing the Oregon Conservation Strategy, improving its information and education efforts, and developing new partnerships with state agencies, groups and others.  The Commission expects the next director to continue these efforts." 

“My recommendation is that Roy Elicker be named interim director.  We will discuss this issue at the next commission meeting July 12 and the next steps to finding a permanent director,” Rae said.