Carter Smith Named Texas Parks & Wildlife Executive Director

Written by Staff Reports

Wednesday, 05 December 2007

Carter Smith Named Texas Parks & Wildlife Executive Director Carter Smith was named executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Dec. 5 at a special meeting of the TPW Commission in San Antonio. Smith will be leaving the helm at The Nature Conservancy of Texas to take the top job at TPW. “It’s really an honor,” Smith said. “And somewhat humbling.” Smith’s favorite outdoor activity is bird hunting, especially dove hunting west of San Antonio. “I love to dove hunt – it’s something I’ve done since I was very young,” he said. Smith also enjoys deer hunting at the family’s Hill Country ranch, where he took two youngsters deer hunting over Thanksgiving weekend. “I have a passion for introducing kids to the outdoors,” he said. “So many don’t get the opportunity.” "Carter Smith is a well-respected conservationist and has proven his ability to develop successful partnerships with landowners and others," said TPW Commission Chairman Peter Holt. "He is a hunter and angler and a seventh generation Texas landowner. He understands the conservation challenges we face in our rapidly growing and changing state and will provide a fresh perspective as we strive to meet our mission." The Commission took action to accept the recommendation of the search committee in a public meeting after discussing the issue in executive session. The search committee consisted of TPW Commission Chairman Peter Holt, Chairman Emeritus Lee Bass, Vice Chairman Dan Friedkin, Commissioner Mark Bivins, and former Chairman Joseph Fitzsimons. Pete Selig, chairman of The Nature Conservancy of Texas’ Board of Trustees and a San Antonio businessman, said the announcement elicited “pride and mixed emotions” among Conservancy staff and board members. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Carter, and a windfall for the conservation of Texas’ lands and waters,” Selig said. “We will miss Carter at The Nature Conservancy. He has taken the team to new levels of effectiveness, and we feel privileged that one of our own has been selected to fill this role. The Nature Conservancy has always believed in the strength of partnerships – in particular, Texas Parks and Wildlife has been an important partner for our organization for more than 40 years.” “Carter Smith has been an incredible leader for conservation in Texas and within The Nature Conservancy,” said Rob McKim, the Conservancy’s managing director for the Central U.S. Conservation Region. “While this news is bittersweet, we applaud the state for its excellent selection.” Smith has been with The Nature Conservancy of Texas since 1998 and has been the state director since 2004. Prior to his promotion to state director, Smith served as Director of Conservation Programs where he was responsible for conservation, external affairs and science programs. Before working at the Nature Conservancy, he was the first executive director of the Katy Prairie Conservancy and continues to serve on their Advisory Board. Since Smith took the reins of the state organization in 2004, The Nature Conservancy has conserved an estimated 189,000 acres for wildlife habitat in Texas, much through private and public partnerships. Smith is a native of Central Texas and began his career in 1992 at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a management intern, assisting in the Private Lands and Public Hunting programs. He has a wildlife management degree from Texas Tech and a master's degree in conservation biology from Yale University. "I am deeply honored to accept this new challenge," said Smith. "I was very fortunate to begin my professional career at Texas Parks and Wildlife, and have had much contact with the professionals at the agency through the years. I look forward to working with people I admire and respect to further TPWD's conservation mission." Smith will replace Robert L. Cook, who retired on August 31, 2007. Cook has been executive director since February 2002 and is serving as interim executive director until Smith takes the helm in late January.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 06 December 2007 )

 

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