History was made today, as Vice President Mike Pence swore Aurelia Skipwith in as the 17th Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Director Skipwith is the first African American to serve as the agency’s director and only the third female.
“The President and I both feel that she was the perfect choice for this job because of her experience and her integrity,” said Vice President Pence. “She has excelled in scientific laboratories, some of America's most powerful board rooms and in the halls of Government.”
After being nominated for the position in July, Skipwith’s nomination was confirmed by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in September and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December
Safari Club International members played an important role in pushing her nomination forward. Thanks to grassroots efforts led by SCI’s Hunter Advocacy Action Center (HAAC), United States Senators received a flood of emails and phone calls from SCI members nationwide voicing support for her confirmation.
SCI has been a strong supporter of her nomination from the start, and in 2017, Director Skipwith attended SCI’s board meeting and delivered an address on behalf of President Trump.
Director Skipwith was previously serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks where she was actively involved with ensuring the protection and stewardship of lands and waters within the National Park and Wildlife Refuge Systems. During her time in that role she prioritized public access for hunting and fishing on National Wildlife Refuges.
SCI looks forward to working with Director Skipwith to continue protecting our nations proud hunting heritage and promoting the conservation of wildlife and wild places. “Director Skipwith is a champion of sustainable use conservation. SCI is proud to stand by her on this momentous day” said Ben Cassidy, SCI’s Director of Government Affairs.
