Rich Storm of Carlisle, Ky., has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, replacing Frank Jemley of Louisville, who has served as the agency’s acting Commissioner since March 2018.
“Rich Storm has been an exemplary leader in his time on the Fish and Wildlife Commission,” said Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Don Parkinson. “We are happy to welcome him into this new role and are confident in his ability to promote unity, accountability, and transparency throughout the agency.”
Storm joined the Fish and Wildlife Commission more than two years ago (August 2016) as the eighth district representative. In September of 2018, Storm was elected to serve as the chairman of the nine-member commission. Announcement of his new position will result in a new vacancy on the commission.
“It is an honor to serve a department that I love and have always respected,” Storm said. “My family and I are beyond excited for this opportunity. I look forward to working with our sportsmen and sportswomen and the many fine employees of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Together, we can continue building on this department’s legacy.”
Storm is an avid sportsman, a farmer, and also currently serves as the General Manager of PICI Staffing. Through his work with the staffing agency, Storm has gained experience in various industries, including mining, automotive, and manufacturing. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Morehead State University.
“Today’s announcement of Rich Storm’s appointment as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources brings to a close the nine-month search for an individual to lead the agency,” said Dr. Karl Clinard, Vice Chairman of the Fish and Wildlife Commission. “I look forward to working with Commissioner Storm and to a bright future for our natural resources as well as the sportsmen and women of the Commonwealth.”
Storm lives in Carlisle with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters.
Secretary Parkinson also thanked Jemley for his leadership over the past ten months.
“We appreciate Frank’s efforts as acting commissioner of Fish and Wildlife Resources,” Parkinson added. “He has done wonders for this agency and certainly left it in a better condition than he received it.”
(provided by Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet)
