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June 17, 2009
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) ended
its session on Wednesday by voting to appoint Nick Wiley,
assistant executive director, to the position of executive
director when Ken Haddad, current director, retires in December.
 Haddad
made the official announcement of his retirement on Monday and
discussions of his retirement and replacement took place at the
meeting in Crystal River. As the session drew to a close at 7
p.m., Commissioner Kenneth Wright made a motion to appoint Wiley
to the top position of the FWC.
All seven commissioners voiced their support for the motion to
select Wiley and praised his leadership and consensus-building
abilities.
"This is not a 'spur of the moment' decision," said Rodney Barreto,
FWC chairman. "I do believe going through a long, drawn-out
process of selection wouldn't be beneficial to the agency. And I
doubt we would come away with a different result even if we do go
through a process. The mere fact that this is unanimous should
give everyone comfort."
Commissioner Brian Yablonski echoed this sentiment. "Why drag out
this process? Why create uncertainty within the agency? We have a
great candidate and we should just do it."
Wiley, 47, began his career with the former Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission in 1988. He moved his way up the ranks and
was named assistant executive director in 2008.
Wiley said, "I am rarely speechless, but I'm close right now. I
love this agency. I can't talk about it without getting emotional.
I would be honored to accept the position."
Wiley's appointment as executive director will now go to the
Florida Senate for confirmation.
In a letter to Commissioners, Haddad wrote, "I appreciate the
honor you have bestowed on me by allowing me to have served as
executive director for almost eight years."
He assured the Commission and staff that he would remain fully
engaged up until his very last day on the job, and even in
retirement he plans to remain active in the fish and wildlife
arena in some way.
"I am very excited about the Commission's decision," Haddad said
after the vote. "Nick is the perfect person and the Commission
made a wise decision. I look forward to working with him for the
next six months, and I know that Nick has the capability to take
this agency to new heights of success.
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