February 19, 2009

Nashville, TN - Ed Carter has been named the new executive director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Carter was selected in a vote by the 13-member Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission.

The selection came during the regular TWRC February meeting held Thursday at the TWRA Region II Building. The TWRC serves as the governing body of the TWRA.

Carter, the current Chief of the TWRA Boating Division, will assume his new duties on March 1. Carter is replacing the retiring Gary Myers, who has served as TWRA Executive Director since 1978.

Carter’s career began with the TWRA in 1972. He served as an education representative, hunter education coordinator, acting chief of the Information and Education Division, education and law enforcement training officer and an Region II assistant regional assistant manager. He became TWRA’s Chief of the Boating Division when the division was formed in 1990. TWRA is the sole state agency charged with the responsibility for boating safety.

In addition to his supervisory positions within the TWRA over the years, he has served in leadership positions for several regional and national organizations and has received numerous accolades and honors during the course of his career. Recent leadership positions have included a term as president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, president of the Southern States Boating Law Administrators, chair of the National Safe Boating Council, a member of the executive board of the Canadian Safe Boating Council, and as the TWRA Emergency Services Coordinator for more than 16 years with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

He is a member of the State Homeland Security committee.
Carter was a recent recipient of the USCG/USPS (United States Coast Guard/United States Power Squadrons) Eagle Award for Significant Contributions to Boating Safety. Other awards and citations for Carter include the NASBLA Bonner Award, NASBLA Lifetime Achievement Award, U.S. Coast Guard Public Service Commendation, and in 2006, the Tennessee Legislature passed House/Senate Resolution 735 recognizing Carter for meritorious service to the State of Tennessee.

A native of Hawkins County, Carter is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He and his wife of 34 years, Karen, have three adult children Mark, Tracie, and Christie.