04-15-2008, 12:08 AM
Social Circle, Georgia - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) announces the recent appointment of John Biagi as the new Fisheries Management Section chief. He fills the position left vacant by Chuck Coomer who retired from WRD in October. As former assistant chief of the Fisheries Management Section, Biagi brings a wealth of experience to his new position.
"John has served WRD in multiple capacities for more than 17 years, and his most recent position as assistant chief will serve him well in this recent promotion," says WRD director Dan Forster. "With his extensive experience in a number of statewide programs and projects, John will be an asset to the state's expansive Fisheries Management Section."
As chief, Biagi will direct, develop and administer a comprehensive statewide Fisheries Management program designed to protect, evaluate and improve fish habitat or populations. The program encompasses a plethora of projects including scientific studies, facility and personnel management, state fisheries resource enhancements and sectional legislative efforts. This covers a wide variety of projects including the ongoing Go Fish Georgia Initiative.
Biagi began working for WRD in 1990 as a district biologist responsible for managing the Chattahoochee River tailwater trout fishery in Atlanta. In 1997, he was promoted and given the responsibility of leading the then newly-established Stream Survey Team. Biagi was promoted to assistant chief in 2001 where he has since served the division in a variety of statewide projects, including WRD's fish hatcheries and Public Fishing Areas (PFAs), the Stream Survey program, state fishing regulations, aquatic nuisance species projects/concerns and fisheries-related environmental issues among others.
Biagi holds a master's degree in biology from Murray State University. Given his background, he clearly has a passion for fishing, but also enjoys deer hunting and gardening. Husband and father of two, Megan and Andrew, he currently resides in Social Circle with wife Karen and son, Andrew.
"John has served WRD in multiple capacities for more than 17 years, and his most recent position as assistant chief will serve him well in this recent promotion," says WRD director Dan Forster. "With his extensive experience in a number of statewide programs and projects, John will be an asset to the state's expansive Fisheries Management Section."
As chief, Biagi will direct, develop and administer a comprehensive statewide Fisheries Management program designed to protect, evaluate and improve fish habitat or populations. The program encompasses a plethora of projects including scientific studies, facility and personnel management, state fisheries resource enhancements and sectional legislative efforts. This covers a wide variety of projects including the ongoing Go Fish Georgia Initiative.
Biagi began working for WRD in 1990 as a district biologist responsible for managing the Chattahoochee River tailwater trout fishery in Atlanta. In 1997, he was promoted and given the responsibility of leading the then newly-established Stream Survey Team. Biagi was promoted to assistant chief in 2001 where he has since served the division in a variety of statewide projects, including WRD's fish hatcheries and Public Fishing Areas (PFAs), the Stream Survey program, state fishing regulations, aquatic nuisance species projects/concerns and fisheries-related environmental issues among others.
Biagi holds a master's degree in biology from Murray State University. Given his background, he clearly has a passion for fishing, but also enjoys deer hunting and gardening. Husband and father of two, Megan and Andrew, he currently resides in Social Circle with wife Karen and son, Andrew.