SALT LAKE CITY — Mike Fowlks has been named interim director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. He is stepping in for Greg Sheehan, who recently accepted the position of deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fowlks, who is an avid outdoorsman, began his career at the division as a field conservation officer in the agency's law enforcement section, where he served as section chief for eight years. He also served as the agency's liaison with the Utah Legislature between 1997 and 2003. Fowlks has been the division’s deputy director for the past five years.

Fowlks received his bachelor’s degree in zoology and animal biology from the University of Utah. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement Administrators and the National Conservation Leadership Institute.