New Commissioners for Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission

The Oregon Senate confirmed on Tuesday the appointments of Holly Akenson and Michael Finley to represent Oregon’s Eastern and Western districts respectively on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Akenson, of Enterprise, will replace Carter Kerns who has served on the Commission since 2003. Finley, of Medford, will replace Marla Rae who has served on the Commission since 2002.

Holly Akenson is the Director of Wallowa Mountain Institute, the education and outreach arm of Wallowa Resources. Akenson oversees applied research, and education and outreach programs related to the stewardship of the forests and rangelands in Wallowa County. Her background as a wildlife biologist has afforded her many opportunities to remain connected to nature and the land. She is an avid hunter, angler, and wildlife photographer and regularly takes her mule teams on treks into the mountains.

Finley is President of the Turner Foundation, a private grant-making foundation that supports hundreds of grassroots national and international organizations. Before joining the Turner Foundation he spent 32 years with the National Park Service. During his career, Finley was Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park for over six years and also served as Superintendent of Yosemite and Everglades National Parks and Assateague Island National Seashore. He directly managed hunting and fishing activities on National Park Service lands and waters in Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, California, Montana and Wyoming. He was also a commissioned law enforcement ranger and investigator for 10 years. Finley hunts and fishes, and is passionate about public recreation.

In a related issue, Dr. Dan Edge of Corvallis was appointed Commission Chair. Edge succeeds Marla Rae, whose term has expired. Edge heads the Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. He received bachelor’s degrees in wildlife biology and forestry, a master’s in wildlife biology and a doctorate in forestry, all from the University of Montana. Edge has served on the Commission since 200