Two new Mississippi wildlife commissioners appointed: Who are these guys?

‘I believe we need to spend some money on state parks. We do have a great resource in those parks and a lot of people use those parks, so let’s don’t forget about them.’

In its July meeting, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks had a different look. District 2 Commissioner Scott Coopwood rotated into the role of chairman and two new commissioners were in place.

Gov. Tate Reeves recently appointed Todd Hairston as commissioner representing District 5. Hairston filled a vacancy left by former commissioner Leonard Bentz when he was not confirmed by the Senate following a scandal involving baiting turkeys with crickets.

Colin Maloney was appointed commissioner representing District 1. He replaced commissioner Bill Cossar whose term ended after two terms and 10 years of service.

The Clarion-Ledger interviewed both to find out more about them.

Who is Colin Maloney?

Colin Maloney is a life-long resident of Tupelo. The 61-year-old attended Mississippi College and earned a degree in business. He is the founder and CEO of Century Construction Group with offices in Jackson, Nashville, Austin and Tupelo. He’s also served on the board of directors of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, an agency that helps fund outdoor and conservation projects.

“I kind of grew up on a farm outside of Tupelo,” Maloney said. “So, hunting and fishing was a part of my life growing up.

“My dad introduced me to deer hunting. My grandfather was a big fisherman.”

Though the father of two continues to hunt and fish, his interests have broadened, and he travels the world pursuing them. Maloney said he has participated in the Baja 1,000 off-road vehicle race in Mexico eight times. He has traveled to places like Vietnam in search of adventure.

Last year he did something closer to home, The Great Loop. It’s a 6,000-mile trip by boat that takes you up the Eastern Seaboard then inland through America by rivers and canals and then into the Gulf of Mexico. He has also traveled by motorcycle from Tupelo to Anchorage.

As exciting as adventures like those may be, he is also excited about his appointment to the commission.

“I think it’s like anything,” Maloney said. “You want to get in there and make a difference. I am excited about it.”

One area he wants to make a difference in is Mississippi’s state parks.

“I believe we need to spend some money on state parks,” Maloney said. “We do have a great resource in those parks and a lot of people use those parks, so let’s don’t forget about them.”

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Who is Todd Hairston?

Hairston graduated from Delta State University where he earned a degree in environmental science. He works at Covington Civil and Environmental, a civil engineering and environmental consulting company. His current role is government relations and business development.

The 45-year-old is a father of three girls and lives in Gulfport, but he grew up in the Mississippi Delta where hunting and fishing are as much of the fabric of life as the corn, beans and cotton that are raised there.

“I don’t know when I was first taken hunting and fishing,” Hairston said.

He doesn’t know for a reason. Hairston talked about a photo of himself, father and grandfather fishing on the coast. It’s a memory captured only in the photo for Hairston, because he was too young to remember it.

“I was hunting and fishing before I knew I was hunting and fishing,” Hairston said.

When asked how it felt to be sworn in as a commissioner, he paused. Not because he didn’t know what to say, but because it was an emotional moment for him.

“I wish all of the folks that influenced my love of the outdoors could have been there,” Hairston said.

Hairston also talked about how he’d like to see conservation going forward.

“Yesterday was my first meeting,” Hairston said. “I’m still learning, but I want all of the people involved in the effort to better our natural environment and wildlife and experience of God’s creation to work together toward common goals — a better experience to enjoy what we have.”

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Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.