Leadership at Game and Fish

Learn about the leadership team at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and see how they are shaping wildlife management in our state.

Angi Bruce

Director

Angi is the first female director in the state's 51-year history. A dedicated biologist, Angi built a long-standing career in conservation. Her career includes previous roles as the Game and Fish habitat protection supervisor and assistant wildlife bureau chief with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. As the former Game and Fish deputy director of external affairs, Angi collaborated closely with partners, external organizations, other states and the legislature to be a voice for Wyoming's wildlife. Her work has been instrumental in addressing complex fish and wildlife management issues, including oversight of significant projects such as migration corridors, the department's "Movement Matters" initiative and sage-grouse policy.

angela.bruce@wyo.gov | (307) 777-4501

Eric Wiltanger

Deputy Director of Internal Affairs

Eric grew up in northwest Pennsylvania and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force upon graduating from high school. During a 20-year career in security forces, Eric earned a bachelor’s of science in business management and an associaties degree of arts in criminal justice. Upon retirement from active duty in 2010, Eric began his service with the State of Wyoming working with the Department of Corrections in Torrington, Cheyenne and Rawlins. In 2012, he began employment with the Division of Criminal Investigations, and in 2017 he was appointed as deputy director of DCI. In 2020, Eric started his Game and Fish adventures as the Services Division Chief. He was appointed as deputy director of internal affairs in 2024. His free time is spent enjoying the outdoors with his family.

eric.wiltanger@wyo.gov | (307) 777-4501

Doug Brimeyer

Deputy Director of External Affairs

Doug grew up in rural Iowa and received a bachelor’s of science in wildlife biology from the University of Montana. Much of Doug's 30-plus-year career has been managing big and trophy game populations in northwest Wyoming. Doug was involved in some of the first GPS collaring studies of moose, bighorn sheep and elk in Yellowstone. Data from these studies has been used to identify important big game seasonal ranges and to adaptively manage hunting seasons on migrating elk from Yellowstone National Park. During his career, he has forged relationships with researchers, landowners, diverse publics and non-government organizations. In his free time, Doug enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family in western Wyoming.

doug.brimeyer@wyo.gov | (307) 777-4501

Division Chiefs

Alan Osterland

Fisheries Division Chief

Alan is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a degree in wildlife management. His department employment began in 1986 as a terrestrial habitat technician. Alan was hired in 1989 as a Game Warden and spent 21 years in districts across Wyoming. He spent two years as a wildlife investigator for the department. After serving six years as the Wildlife Supervisor in the Cody Region, Alan was promoted to his current position as Chief of Fisheries in 2018. Alan resides in Cheyenne with his family, and when he is not at work he can be found sampling the resource (aka fishing).

alan.osterland@wyo.gov | (307) 777-4557

Dan Smith

Chief Game Warden

After growing up in Wyoming, Dan started his career as a wildlife manager with the Arizona Game and Fish Department for eight years. He returned to Wyoming in 2002 as the Cody Region Access Yes Coordinator/Game Warden, and in 2017 he was selected as the Cody Region Wildlife Supervisor. Dan began serving his current role as the Wildlife Division Chief in late 2024. Dan enjoys spending time with family and enjoying all that Wyoming has to offer, and he is honored to be a part of the Game and Fish team.

dan.smith1@wyo.gov | (307) 777-4581

Nish Goicolea

Communications and Education Division Chief

Nish began her career as an educator, teaching students from kindergarten through college. She spent 14 years as a Western Wyoming Community College professor before moving into administration as the college's accreditation liaison. Nish then transitioned to the government side of education, serving as the executive director of the Professional Teaching Standards Board for five years. In 2022, she took on her current role as the Communications and Education Chief. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and organizational change. Nish believes communication and education are critical for wildlife and Wyoming. Nish resides in Cheyenne with her family, loves outdoor activities, traveling and cooking.

nish.goicolea1@wyo.gov | (307) 777-4594

Dirk Miller

Fiscal Division Chief

Dirk started his Game and Fish career as the Stream Research and Biostatistics Crew Supervisor in 1988. He held several administrative positions in the fish division before becoming the Fiscal Chief in 2024. He oversees the department's budget, licensing and all things fiscal-related. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and a Master of Science degree in fishery and wildlife biology from Colorado State University. He is a Certified Fisheries Scientist and a lifetime member of the American Fisheries Society. Dirk lives in Cheyenne with his wife, they have two grown children, two dogs and enjoy spending time at their cabin in the Snowy Range.

dirk.miller@wyo.gov | (307) 777-4683