Looking Forward Again With Another New Montana FWP Director

It isn't leadership, passion or dedication that is resulting in a third change at the top in the last four years.

No, it's that "R" word, as a second director enters retirement at the end of 2024, signaling the start of another new era for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Montana FWP tells us that Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the appointment of Christy Clark as the agency's new director.  She currently serves as the director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.

In January, 2021, the governor appointed Hank Worsech as FWP's director. Worsech brought two decades of experience with Montana FWP, and ran the agency until his retirement in June, 2023.

Worsech was replaced by Dustin Temple, another 20-plus-year veteran of the department, who earlier this year announced his pending retirement at the end of 2024.

ENTER CHRISTY CLARK

In addition to its director, Christy Clark previously served the Department of Agriculture in various roles, including deputy director, agricultural sciences administrator, and agricultural development and marketing bureau chief. She is also a previous member of the Montana House of Representatives. She raised three children with her husband on their family ranch.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS ABOUT THE NEW DIRECTOR

In his press release, Governor Gianforte stated, “Christy Clark is a strong leader with the skills needed to lead the agency tasked with protecting Montana’s cherished recreational opportunities and public access to public lands. With her record of leadership, I am confident in her as she takes on this new role at FWP.”

DIRECTOR CLARK ON TAKING THE JOB

In accepting the appointment, Christy Clark stated,  “After spending more than 20 years ranching and raising kids, my passion for advocating for agriculture brought me to the Montana Department of Agriculture. I’m equally passionate about our state’s hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities, which truly make Montana, Montana."

Director Clark will assume her duties January 1, 2025. We wish her much success.