The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division has named Mark Whitney of Covington its assistant director. He assumes the position left vacant by Terry West, who was recently promoted to serve as DNR's administrative services director.

"Mark brings a wealth of knowledge from his professional career to this position," says Dan Forster, director of the Wildlife Resources Division. "I am excited to have the benefit of his experience as we lead this agency in conserving and managing the natural resources of the state."

The assistant director is the key wildlife and fisheries resource management adviser to the director. He supervises and monitors the development and implementation of the strategic plan for the agency, coordinates drafting new wildlife legislation, reviews proposed legislation for its impact on the state’s wildlife program, and assists the director with other legislative matters.

Whitney will supervise all agency functions and personnel in the absence of the director, manage correspondence for the director, represent the agency at meetings and conferences and approve contracts and environmental documents.

Also, the assistant director manages Wildlife Resources Division’s annual budget, supervises personnel management functions associated with the 300+-person workforce, and provides guidance for computer services and public relations activities.

Whitney, who began working for the agency in 1997 as a wildlife biologist, most recently was head of the Game Management Section. He has served as a game management region supervisor in northeast Georgia and program manager of the Private Lands Program. He holds a master’s degree in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia.

Whitney lives in Covington with his wife, Shawn.

For more information on the Wildlife Resources Division, visit www.georgiawildlife.com.