Louisiana names first woman to top wildlife enforcement post

The Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries has named a girl as its prime recreation warden for the primary time within the company’s 79-year historical past.

Col. Rachel Zechenelly, a Pearl River native and longtime wildlife cop, will take over the company’s enforcement division this summer season, Wildlife and Fisheries introduced on Thursday.

The 24-year Wildlife and Fisheries veteran is at the moment the enforcement division’s second-in-command, serving below Col. Chad Hebert, who plans to retire this summer season.

Zechenelly will oversee a workers of about 260 folks, together with enforcement brokers and assist workers. The division enforces looking, fishing and shellfish harvesting guidelines and boating security legal guidelines, conducts search and rescue operations, and investigates boating and looking accidents.

“We’re in a transformative interval for everyone, not simply girls or minorities,” Zechenelly stated of her appointment as the primary feminine to helm the division. “We’re all in second of change and seeing alternatives we didn’t see earlier than.”

Zechenelly graduated from Nicholls State College, the place she performed on the basketball group, and Wildlife and Fisheries’ enforcement academy. She began working for Wildlife and Fisheries in 1999, first as a discipline agent within the southeast area, and was promoted to grow to be the company’s boating training coordinator.

She additionally served because the state’s boating legislation administrator and helped write a number of adjustments to boating security legal guidelines.

In recent times, Zechenelly managed the enforcement division’s funds and led coaching, recruiting and emergency companies applications.

Zechenelly credit her years taking part in basketball for the “group pondering” mindset and self-discipline that allowed her to maneuver up the ranks at Wildlife and Fisheries.

“When alternatives got here up, I used to be in a position to achieve success in selling as a result of I stored my head down and did my work,” she stated.

Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Rob Shadoin expressed his “utmost confidence” in Zechenelly.

“She has confirmed herself along with her huge expertise and profitable management in lots of roles in enforcement,” he stated.

An company spokesperson stated Hebert’s retirement and Zechenelly’s promotion are unrelated to the latest resignation of Shadoin’s predecessor, Jack Montoucet. Montoucet abruptly give up this month after he was implicated in a federal bribery investigation.

Zechenelly has earned company awards for service throughout Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Harvey, Irma and Ida, and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil catastrophe.

In 2005, Glamour Journal named her one in every of its “Girls of the 12 months” in recognition of her search and rescue efforts.

Hebert, who labored for Wildlife and Fisheries for 30 years, plans to retire in June.

Zechenelly thanked Hebert for his mentorship. She hopes to emulate the management he displayed, particularly throughout latest hurricanes and floods.

“Col. Hebert’s management has been very important, particularly throughout a number of life-saving rescues within the aftermath of main climate occasions within the state,” she stated.