CHEYENNE, Wyo. –Governor Mark Gordon has appointed Angi Bruce Director of Wyoming Game and Fish Department. She becomes the first female director in the agency’s 51-year history, replacing Brian Nesvick, who will retire in September.

Bruce has served as Deputy Director of the agency since 2019, where she oversees fish and wildlife issues as well as Game and Fish participation in federal planning efforts, among other duties. She has also served as Habitat Protection Supervisor with Game and Fish, where she oversaw wildlife Environmental Reviews for the Director’s office and administered the state’s sage grouse Executive Order review process. Bruce previously spent 17 years with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in multiple capacities.

“The Game and Fish commission forwarded three exceptionally well-qualified candidates reflecting Wyoming’s commitment to wildlife and our natural resource heritage,” Governor Gordon said. “In her role as Deputy Director, Angi has demonstrated the department’s dedication to protecting our state’s leadership role in science and policy on wildlife issues large and small.”

“I am thrilled for this opportunity. I will build off the incredible work of Director Nesvik to grow partnerships, work with the public, and utilize the Department’s dedicated and passionate staff to manage our world class wildlife,” Bruce said. “The job will not be short of challenges. Utilizing our citizens’ shared love of wildlife, I have no doubt we can be successful in tackling them together.”

Bruce was one of three finalists for the position who the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission forwarded to the Governor for consideration.