FWC chairman: Wiley can bring new wisdom and leadership to executive director's office

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chairman Rodney Barreto said Thursday the agency expects great wisdom and bold leadership from its new executive director nominee.

            Nick Wiley, 47, has spent 21 years rising through the ranks of the state wildlife agency since his first day as a wildlife resource biologist in Lakeland. Over the years, he has headed the agency’s Alligator Management Program, Small Game Management Section, Bureau of Wildlife Management and Division of Hunting and Game Management. In July 2008, Wiley moved into the post of assistant executive director for the FWC.

            During Wednesday’s FWC meeting at Crystal River, Wiley accepted the seven-member Commission nomination for him to replace retiring Executive Director Ken Haddad in December.

            State law requires that the nomination be confirmed by the Florida Senate during its next regular session.

            “I am sincerely humbled by this nomination,” Wiley said. “There are many leaders in the conservation community around the world who would be thrilled to fill this post. I have made myself a promise to live up to the confidence the Commissioners have shown in me to lead the FWC.”

            FWC Commissioners unanimously approved the nomination to avoid the lengthy and potentially expensive selection process it took to hire past executive directors. However, Chairman Rodney Barreto said he and other Commissioners have been considering Wiley for the post for many months. He said a long, drawn-out selection process probably would reach the same conclusion – that Wiley is the most qualified individual to do the job.

            Commissioner Brian Yablonski said filling the position promptly will help eliminate apprehension among FWC employees about who and what style of management will replace Haddad’s eight-year term as head of the agency.

            In addition, hiring Haddad’s replacement from within the ranks of the FWC reflects the career ladder approach the agency plans to use in filling senior management positions in the future.

            Wiley, who earned his master’s degree in wildlife management from Auburn University in 1986 after earning his bachelor’s in biology from Georgia Southern University in 1983, lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Evelyn, and sons, Duncan and Brooks.