Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is starting 2020 under new leadership.
On Tuesday, the department formally announced Shawnee native Amanda Storck as its new Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Administration. Previously with the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma State University alumna started her career with the Office of State Finance’s natural resources division. Since then, she has held leadership roles with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation. In her new role, she will oversee six areas within ODWC, including licensing and accounting. “I’m thankful for the opportunity and look forward to addressing some of the top initiatives the department has in enhancing fish and wildlife resources to ensure there are resources for future generations,” she said.
Meanwhile, long-time Assistant Chief of the Wildlife Division Bill Dinkines has been promoted to lead his division. In addition to providing technical support to landowners, the Wildlife Division has about 90 technicians and biologists who are responsible for management, maintenance, research and conservation activities at wildlife management areas across Oklahoma. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Dinkines has been with the Wildlife Division since 1991 and became its No. 2 in 2000. “We have accomplished many things in my 29 years with ODWC, and I’m excited to see what we can do in the years to come not only conserving wildlife and but also ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as we have,” Dinkines said. Also getting a promotion is Capt. Gary Emmons, who will oversee game wardens across an 11-county area in central Oklahoma. Emmons will oversee two lieutenants and 11 game wardens in Oklahoma, Payne, Logan, Cleveland, Love, Pottawatomie, Murray, Garvin, Lincoln, McClain and Carter counties. The Oklahoma Department of Wild- life Conservation has about 350 employ- ees across Oklahoma, overseeing more than 70 public hunting and fishing areas, as well as fish hatcheries in Byron, Durant, Lawton and Holdenville. ODWC does not receive tax appropriations and its $61.5 million budget is primarily funded through hunting and fishing license sales, federal grants and leases.