Steve McMullin, associate professor emeritus of human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment, has been named president of the American Fisheries Society.

With more than 8,000 members, the American Fisheries Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources.

“I am honored to have been selected by my colleagues to lead such a prestigious organization,” McMullin said. “My plan of work focuses on effectively communicating the science of fisheries conservation to policymakers and stakeholders, increasing diversity in the society and the fisheries profession, and developing a plan to direct society activities through 2024.”

An active member of the American Fisheries Society since the 1970s, McMullin has served as president of the Virginia Tech and Virginia chapters, president of the Southern Division, and on several committees. He has organized the annual “Leading at All Levels” continuing education workshop since 2013, reflecting his longstanding interest in leadership development training.

During his time at Virginia Tech, McMullin made significant contributions to planning and public involvement in fish and wildlife conservation in North America and the profession of fisheries science through his work with state and federal agencies and professional societies, focusing on leadership development and the interactions between humans and natural resources.

In addition to teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, McMullin also taught continuing education courses for natural resource professionals and generated tools and processes for assessing management effectiveness. Those tools have been used by nearly half of the nation’s state fish and wildlife agencies.

For six years, McMullin served as director of the College of Natural Resources and Environment’s Leadership Institute, in which select juniors and seniors develop leadership abilities to prepare them as future leaders in managing natural resources for sustainability and biodiversity. He continues to serve as the institute’s associate director since his retirement in 2016.

McMullin received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Idaho and his doctorate from Virginia Tech. Prior to receiving his doctoral degree, he spent 12 years with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, serving as biologist, regional fisheries manager, and chief of the Montana Fisheries Management Bureau.

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