Vernon R. Ross

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vernon R. Ross this week announced he will retire effective December 31, to spend more time with his wife and famil, and in the Great Outdoors with his grandchildren.

"As much as I care about serving the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Commonwealth's wildlife and Pennsylvania's hunters and trappers, it's time for me to find more time for the people who matter most to me, my family," Ross said. "They have supported me every step of the way in my professional career, and it's time for me to spend as much time as I can with them.

"When I became Executive Director in May of 1999, I said that I had intended to serve only four years. More than six years later, I believe that this agency has accomplished much to be proud of for the benefit of our wildlife resources, for hunters and trappers and for all people who enjoy the state's wildlife.

"Now that the Board of Game Commissioners has a full complement of eight members, I want to give this Board time to conduct an appropriate search, interview and selection process so that the agency can begin a new year with a new executive director."

Ross began serving as the agency's executive director on May 10, 1999. Since that time, he has gone about the business of meeting with full-time and part-time employees, as well as volunteers, in an effort to encourage positive change. He has championed many efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Game Commission and its employees.

During his tenure, the Game Commission has expanded youth hunting opportunities as a means of increasing hunting participation. As a result, youth hunting licenses sales have increased from 100,845 in 1998, to 109,644 in 2004.

Ross also oversaw the implementation of a Deer Management Section to focus greater attention on the agency's deer program. He also worked to create region biologists and region wildlife diversity biologists to broaden and improve the agency's wildlife management programs and to work with private landowners on habitat projects to benefit wildlife.

In addition, the agency has: expanded deer hunting opportunities; implemented antler restrictions; held limited elk seasons since 2001 and bobcat seasons since 2000; and increased turkey and small game hunting opportunities. He also oversaw implementation of important research projects for game and non-game species to enable the agency to make informed management decisions.

"When I was a boy, I met the District Game Protector who served in the area of my father's hunting camp," Ross said. "His name was Norm Erickson, and he had a very positive impact on my life and represented the Game Commission well. For the past six years, I've been honored to serve as the executive director of that agency. But, as I close in on 65 years of age, I want to do my part to personally promote the state's hunting heritage by spending time outdoors with my grandchildren in that same camp that I grew up visiting."

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Ross served as a corporal, infantryman and combat photographer. After being honorably discharged in 1962, he was employed in the business world from 1962-95, where he served as a manager and marketing director, and vice president of operations and marketing.

A member of various sportsmen's clubs and civic organizations, Ross helped form the "Sportsmen Coalition for Ridge/Schweiker '94" and served as its chair. Following the election of Governor Tom Ridge, Ross was named the Commonwealth's first-ever Sportsmen's Advisor to the Governor in 1995. In this position, he was the executive director of the Governor's Sportsmen's Advisory Council and helped facilitate meetings between Governor Ridge and members of the Ridge Administration and sportsmen's organizations.

During his tenure with the Ridge Administration, Ross helped bring the Fifth Governor's Symposium on North America's Hunting Heritage to Pennsylvania in 1998. Ross orchestrated a successful symposium by working with staff from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other hunting organizations. The symposium hosted by Governor Ridge was so successful that it revived a program on the verge of ending.

A native of New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Ross now lives in Camp Hill, Cumberland County, with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children: Brian, Suzanne and Jennifer; and five grandchildren: Tyler, Dustin, Colin, Steven and Maggie.

Speaking on his retirement announcement, Board President John Riley said: "Working with Vern Ross has been a joy. He is a great guy to work with and he runs the agency in an effective and efficient manner. You can always count on an answer that is straight and true. I, for one, am sad to see him go, but I do wish him good health and many years of a happy retirement. But, as is our responsibility, the Board has formed an interview committee of Game Commissioners to conduct a nationwide search for a new executive director."

Rep. Bruce Smith (R-York), House Game and Fisheries Committee Republican chairman, said: "Vern Ross was instrumental in improving the attitude and interaction with the public and the Legislature at the Game Commission. He turned the agency around, and made it more responsive to hunters, trappers and the public. I am proud to have Vern as a friend, and as an outstanding executive director of the Game Commission. I wish Vern the best in his well- earned retirement, and that he is able to enjoy many years with his wife, and hunting and fishing with his grandchildren."

Rep. Edward G. Staback (R-Lackawanna), House Game and Fisheries Committee Democratic chairman, said: "Throughout his service as Executive Director, the Game Commission has taken on some of the most complex and controversial issues that affect the hunting community. In all my dealings with Vern, on those and other issues, he has always been a strong advocate for sportsmen and for the preservation of our state's wildlife resources."

Sen. Joe Conti (R-Bucks), Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Republican chairman, said: "Vern Ross has made a great impact on the Game Commission and provided a great service to the Commonwealth and sportsmen."

Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette), former Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Democratic chairman, said: "It was great working with Vern over the years and I wish him well in his future endeavors. During his years on the commission, I never doubted that he had the interests of sportsmen at heart."

7/8/2005