Gov. Whitmer announces new DNR Director
This morning, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of former lottery commissioner Scott Bowen as the new director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Bowen will fill a vacancy left by former director Dan Eichinger when he moved to the Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy. Shannon Lott, who had been acting director, will remain with the DNR in a leadership role.
Bowen said his experience managing other state agencies will help him in his new role managing Michigan’s natural resources in a press release from the governor’s office.
“I’m excited to join the DNR team. It will be an honor to contribute a chapter to the agency’s long history of managing and protecting the natural and cultural resources that help define what it means to be from Michigan,” said Director Bowen. “I know how essential this work is to maintaining the state’s quality of life and economic vitality. My background in overseeing other state agencies and building relationships has provided valuable experience that I can draw on, and I’m eager to get to work.”
Michigan United Conservation Clubs Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter said she looks forward to getting to know Bowen and better understand his goals for the department.
“Acting director Lott filled in as director tremendously while providing continuity and experience to the role. She will be missed as director, but we are excited to continue to work with her in the trenches on a range of conservation issues as the deputy director,” Trotter said. “MUCC looks forward to getting to know Director Bowen in the coming weeks and better understanding his vision for the department.”
Bowen previously served as the lottery commissioner under Governor’s Granholm and Snyder. Prior to serving as lottery commissioner, Bowen served as the director of the Office of the State Employer. He also served two terms on the Grand Rapids City Commission.
More information on Director Bowen can be found in Gov. Whitmer’s announcement HERE.
What are Mr. Bowen’s credentials in the field of natural resource conservation and use? Is he a hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman? Does he have a degree in Forestry, Fish and Wildlife Management, Fisheries Management, Soil Conservation, Parks and Recreation Management? If not, why would the Governor appoint someone without natural resource management experience to such an important position? This job is not just about overseeing state agencies and building relationships.
I believe the fact that DNR Michigan uses a lottery system for killing , licensing to kill, bears, wolves, and other game…maybe that is where mr. Bowen is eminently qualified?!?
This is the first thing I thought too! Does this man have any experience, or expertise in the field?
Has he ever bought a hunting or fishing license, spent time in a tent, camped or shot a gun?
Tim Lintz
The answers to all the questions posed to this date are a resounding NO. If he owned these credentials they certainly would have been outlined in this press release. More Big Government from this governor.
A troubling appointment. Appears to have no experience in or connection to Michigan natural resources, wildlife, or outdoor recreation. Can a career bureaucrat be expected to be sensitive to the interests and needs of Michigan’s outdoor enthusiasts?–or to its wildlife populations? I suspect not; but I hope he proves me wrong.
Well said Gary. The political hack Wretched Whitmer elects another political hack.
Bowen has history working under granholm , Snyder, and now whitmer. Pretty experience d working in politics.
Sounds like politics as usual.
Must be a friend of the governor. This is so typical of government. Has Bowen ever fished or hunted or camped? I’m thinking he has not. Running the MDNR is much more involved than being an OFFICE EXECUTIVE.
Ditto! Gary Porter. That’s my first thought…
Simply amazing hire, but it shows the level of depravity and ignorance in the Michigan Governor to hire a naive person to run the DNR. What in the heck does a State Lottery commissioner have to do with Wildlife, Fisheries and Forestry?????
Unbelievable.
Could be worse, a lot worse, she could be appointing straight up anti-hunting members to the fish and game commission, like is being done in Washington state, not to give any ideas…. When it could come to confusing environmentalists and conservationists, we’ll take a disinterested Bureaucrat every time. Keep your eyes out!
Another bean counter with NO QUALIFICATIONS in natural resources. Hunting and fishing licenses fund all his programs. Get ready for more useless restrictions!