The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) recently selected Ken Riddleberger as the new Regional Supervisor for the Region II Game Management Office, headquartered in Gainesville. He fills the position that was left vacant by Mark Whitney, who was promoted to Assistant Chief of WRD Game Management. Region II encompasses the northeast part of the state.

“I am thrilled with the appointment of Ken Riddleberger to the position of Region Supervisor for Northeast Georgia,” says WRD Game Management Chief Bill Fletcher. “His wealth of experience with this agency will serve him well in this very active and growing part of the state.”

A WRD Game Management Regional Supervisor must be able to perform several duties. These include: supervising regional personnel; administering the budget; directing the management, planning and use of wildlife management areas (WMA) in their jurisdiction; working with the Assistant Chief on regional research and surveys; providing regional information and educational programs and contributing to the development of laws and hunting regulations applicable to their area. Some of the additional job duties that apply to this particular area is co-managing the Smithgall Woods Regional Education Center with the DNR Parks and Historic Sites Division, handling logistics for an annual Outdoor Adventure Day at Unicoi State Park, working with the public and others on the heavy black bear activity in the area and working with the U.S. Forest Service on National Forest land issues.

Ken Riddleberger has over 18 years of experience with the WRD Game Management Section. His most recent position was as the supervisor of the environmental education and game management activities at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Jasper County, where he oversaw the construction of the recently completed Charlie Elliott Conference Center. He also has served as the head of the Special Permit Unit, Project WILD and WRD efforts regarding hunter recruitment and retention. Ken lives with his wife, Deborah, who is the Science Instructional Supervisor for Jackson County Schools.

For more information, contact the Region II WRD Game Management Office at (770) 535-5700. For more information on WRD, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

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