GILLETTE, Wyo. — On Friday, Governor Mark Gordon appointed Angi Bruce as Wyoming Game and Fish Department director, making her the first female director in the department’s 51-year history.
Bruce has served as the Game and Fish deputy director since 2019, overseeing fish and wildlife issues as well as aiding department participation in federal planning efforts. She replaces former director Brian Nesvick, who is set to retire in September, per the governor’s office.
“The Game and Fish commission forwarded three exceptionally well-qualified candidates reflecting Wyoming’s commitment to wildlife and our natural resource heritage,” Gordon said in a July 5 statement. “In her role as deputy director, [Bruce] has demonstrated the department’s dedication to protecting our state’s leadership role in science and police on wildlife issues large and small.”
In a statement, Bruce indicated she is thrilled for the opportunity to fill the department’s top seat, stating she intends to build off Nesvick’s work to grow partnerships, work with the public and utilize staff to manage Wyoming’s world-class wildlife.
“The job will not be short of challenges,” Bruce said. “Utilizing our citizens’ shared love of wildlife, I have no doubt we can be successful in tackling them together.”
Bruce has previously served as Game and Fish habitat protection supervisor and spent 17 years with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in multiple capacities, per the governor’s office.
