Directors Office
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
The Department is created and placed under the direction and supervision of the Commission in W.S. 23-1-401. The responsibilities of the Department are defined in W.S. 23-1-103. The Department is charged with providing..."an adequate and flexible system for the control, management, protection, and regulation of all Wyoming wildlife."
Brian Nesvik
Director
Brian Nesvik was appointed as Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 2019. Brian has been with the Department working for Wyoming’s wildlife and serving the people of the state for over 24 years.
Brian grew up in Wyoming and received his bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries biology and management from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree from the United States Army War College in strategic studies.
Brian began his career with the Department in 1995. He has worked in various capacities including game warden where he was stationed in Glendo and Casper before being promoted to patrol the Elk Mountain District. He transferred to the South Pinedale District in May 2005 and was promoted to be the Cody Region’s wildlife supervisor in August 2010. Brian took over as chief game warden in 2011 responsible for all operations of the Department’s wildlife division, including law enforcement, terrestrial game, nongame and habitat management and veterinary services before being appointed by Governor Mark Gordon as director.
Brian also serves as brigadier general in the Wyoming Army National Guard and is responsible for the readiness, training, leadership and strategic planning for the more than 1,500 soldiers. He has also served two combat tours in Iraq and Kuwait.
Brian is an avid outdoorsman who loves Wyoming and its natural resources. He and his wife, Penny, have three children: Brittany, Rudy and Aspen.
John Kennedy
Deputy Director (internal operations)
John Kennedy oversees internal programs in the agency, including development and management of the Commission’s budget; final approval of all grants, contracts and agreements; and oversight of the fish, wildlife, services and fiscal divisions. He graduated from the inaugural National Conservation Leadership Institute Program in 2007 and graduated from the Leadership Wyoming program in 2017. He continues to serve on numerous committees of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. John was born and raised in Idaho. He holds a B.S. degree in wildlife management from the University of Idaho and an M.S. degree in wildlife management from South Dakota State University. John is an avid outdoorsman and spends his spare time hunting and fishing.
Scott Smith
Deputy Director (external operations)
Scott Smith is currently the Deputy Director for external operations for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Scott has worked for the State of Wyoming for 33 years, and was stationed in Pinedale, Wyoming for most of his career (23 years) where he served as a wildlife biologist. In 2013, Scott transferred to the Cheyenne Headquarters to serve as Deputy Chief of Wildlife and was recently promoted to Deputy Director.
Scott graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s of Science in Range Management and a Master’s of Science in Zoology.
Scott is an avid outdoorsman and spends his spare time hunting, fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Sheridan Todd
Executive Assistant
Glenn Pauley
Planning Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Office of the Director
5400 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82006
Ph: (307) 777-4600
Fax: (307) 777-4699