CHEYENNE – Wyoming sportsmen and wildlife alike can rest assured as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be in the capable hands of new director Brian Nesvik, a 24-year veteran of the department.

Governor Mark Gordon announced the appointment Friday. Nesvik stood out from a field of three finalists for the position. He was the only member of the WyDGF that made the cut for the final round of consideration. The other two candidates were Gary Bertellotti, a regional supervisor for the Montana Wildlife and Parks Department, and David Morrison, a small program director for Texas Parks and Wildlife.

“Brian Nesvik brings tremendous experience in dealing with wildlife management, endangered species and law enforcement throughout the state,” Governor Gordon said in a press release from the department.

Nesvik, who has most recently served as the Chief Game Warden Chief of the Wildlife Division, brings a wealth of experience in wildlife conservation and management to the role.

“I am incredibly honored by this opportunity to lead a team of the best and brightest in managing world-class natural resources for the citizens of our great State,” Nesvik said. “I am grateful for the Governor’s appointment and will discharge my duties commensurate with the tremendous value Wyoming places in our outdoors, our fish and our wildlife.”

Nesvik has served in several roles throughout his years with the department. He got his start as a game warden in Elk Mountain and Pinedale. He was also the lead officer in the department’s mounted patrol during that time.

Nesvik became the Cody Regional Wildlife Supervisor in 2010, and ascended to Chief Game Warden and Chief of the Wildlife Division less than a year later.

In addition to his duties with the WyGFD, Nesvik is a Brigadier General in the Wyoming National Guard and has served in the capacity since 1986. He is currently the Commanding General of the Wyoming National Guard, and has served in Irag and Kuwait.

Nesvik will replace Scott Talbott, who announced his retirement at the end of January. Talbott had served in the department for 34 years, and was appointed to the director post by then-Gov. Matt Mead in 2011.

“It has been an honor and privilege working with and for the people of Wyoming,” Talbott said in a press release from the department. “The work has been both incredibly challenging and immensely rewarding. My colleagues who work for this agency are unbelievable stewards of Wyoming’s world-class wildlife and it was a joy working shoulder to shoulder with them throughout my career.”

Gordon said Talbott was a big of the department for a long time, and finding his replacement wasn’t easy.

“Scott Talbott provided excellent leadership and service to this state as director, and in the decades he worked on behalf of wildlife and the public in many other roles,” Gordon said. “Scott’s commitment to and knowledge of hunting, fishing, the wildlife laws and each of Wyoming species is hard to match.”