NEWS RELEASE

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne Praises Leadership of Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Matt Hogan

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced the resignation of Matt Hogan as Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In his role as Acting Assistant Secretary, Hogan has provided oversight to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. When his resignation is effective on July 28, Hogan will become the Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, based in Washington, D.C. In a letter to Hogan, Secretary Kempthorne regretfully accepted the resignation.

"In the short time I have served as Secretary, I have been impressed by your leadership skill, managerial excellence and analytical ability," Kempthorne wrote. "In our discussions, I have seen your passion for conservation and your love for hunting, fishing and the great outdoors."

In addition, Secretary Kempthorne wrote, "The silver lining to your departure is that you will become the Executive Director of the Association for Fish and Wildlife Agencies, a position you describe as your dream job. As you explained to me, this new position will allow you to pursue in the private sector your passion for conservation and partnership. While I had hoped you would stay at Interior, I respect it is not possible to convince you to do so in light of your excitement about this new position. The Association for Fish and Wildlife Agencies chose well in selecting you as their Executive Director."

Hogan has served as Acting Assistant Secretary since January 2006, following the resignation of Craig Manson. In 2002, Hogan joined the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Deputy Director. In addition, Hogan previously served as Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service immediately following the resignation of Steve Williams in March 2005.

In his letter of resignation to Secretary Kempthorne, Hogan noted that the Interior Department has made great strides for conservation and "reconnected with private landowners, hunters and anglers and state fish and wildlife agencies in the spirit of cooperative conservation."

In a statement, John Cooper, Cabinet Secretary of South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department and the current President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies said, "Having worked with Matt, I know his policy and leadership experience, skills, and knowledge of fish and wildlife issues will be an asset. Matt's long-term interest in the organization and his long ties with many of the Association's members will be his strong suit."

Before joining the Service in 2002, Hogan spent four years as conservation policy director of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, serving as a liaison between the hunting, fishing and conservation communities and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. Prior to that, he was government affairs manager for Safari Club International and legislative director for Congressman Pete Geren of Texas.

He graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York in 1990.

Secretary Kempthorne will name another Acting Assistant Secretary upon Hogan's departure. A permanent replacement for former Assistant Secretary Craig Manson must be nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.