Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Executive Director Mike Styler has named Mike Fowlks interim director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR).
Fowlks has replaced Greg Sheehan, who was recently accepted the position of deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He will serve as interim director until a permanent hiring decision is made.
An avid hunter with a longtime career in wildlife law enforcement, Fowlks has more than 24 years’ experience with the DWR. He’s served as the agency’s deputy director since 2012.
“Mike has been a critical member of DWR’s administrative team for many years and has played a vital role in division’s effort to enhance wildlife conservation statewide. His past responsibilities have prepared him for this opportunity” Styler said. “Utah’s wildlife is in outstanding shape. I’m confident through Mike’s leadership we will continue to see proactive collaboration with wildlife and conservation stakeholder groups; further restoration of wildlife habitat statewide and additional focus on cultivating wildlife opportunities for hunters and anglers.” 
DWR interim director Mike Fowlks is an avid sportsman. Here he is with a bighorn sheep ram he took in southern Utah in 2010. Photo courtesy of DWR.
Fowlks began his career at the DWR as a field conservation officer in the agency’s Law Enforcement Section. He distinguished himself as a leader and quickly worked his way through the ranks, serving as the law enforcement section chief for eight years. He also served as the agency’s liaison with the Utah Legislature between 1997 and 2003.
“I am honored and humbled that Director Styler has confidence in my abilities to step into the director position on an interim basis,” Fowlks says. “I look forward to developing even stronger relationships and partnerships with all of our wildlife stakeholders as we meet the many challenges facing Utah’s wildlife. We will continue to succeed because, in my opinion, we have the most dedicated and professional employees of any state wildlife agency out there.”
Fowlks received his bachelor’s degree in zoology and animal biology from the University of Utah. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement Administrators and the National Conservation Leadership Institute.