MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Mark Webb

This will be my last message to the members as your President. I have held this office for the past four years and it has been a great honor for me to represent the Federal Wildlife Officers Association and its members.

I remain convinced that we hold very special jobs and that we contribute a great deal to the success of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our membership is comprised of some of the most dedicated employees to be found not only in the Service, but the federal government.

It seems that we are continually asked to do more with less, and we continue to step up to the plate and get the job done.

The Service is moving us into new directions, but there is little doubt that our members will continue to flow with these new challenges and will continue to put forth that extra effort necessary to put together the great investigations that our members are known for. Examples of these extra efforts are shown elsewhere in the newsletter, where our members are recognized and honored by other federal agencies and by foreign governments. Congratulations to SAs Phocas and LcClair.

As I reflect back on our recent accomplishments, I feel that we have made great strides in improving our recognition by the managers within the Service and within the Office of Law Enforcement. We have been able to create a professional relationship with Chief Adams and with his assistance, we have accomplished many things for our members, such as the memorial for SA Oliveros and the payment of toll fees for all SAs as they commute to and from their offices. I would like to take this opportunity to let Chief Adams know that we greatly appreciate his willingness to assist us with our concerns and I know that he and his staff will continue to support the efforts of the FWOA.

FWOA was recently recognized by the International Wildlife Law Enforcement field when the Italian government requested your FWOA President to be a guest speaker at the annual Wildlife Law Enforcement

Officers Conference in Genoa, Italy, on March 25, 2005. The Italian government paid all expenses for President Webb to travel to Genoa, Italy, where he presented a program on the job functions of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent, Wildlife Law Enforcement Covert Investigations, and the functions of the National Wildlife Forensics Lab.

FWOA is continuing our involvement within the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association with sponsorship of the Memorial Torch Run/Walk. The run/walk is now an integral part of the Annual Conference and we have been successful in having Cabela's, Inc., sign on as our corporate sponsor.

Attached to this newsletter is a ballot to cast your vote for the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary,and Regional Representative. I encourage all of you to place your vote and return your ballot to Secretary Ellen Kiley as soon as possible.

I have had the great pleasure to work with several dedicated Board Members the past few years and without their hard work and support, many of the items that FWOA has accomplished would not have happened. I would like to thank SA Jim Gale, SA Leo Suazo, SA Doug Goessman, SA Bill Anderson, and SA Ellen Kiley who have all served on the Board with me, and to all of the Special Agents that held the Regional Rep positions.

I feel that my main short coming as your President was not getting more of you involved in the day-to-day functions of YOUR association. The lack of interest and support by many members at the recent annual meeting is an example. I would like to let the members that accepted nominations to the Board and to the Regional Rep positions know that I appreciate your willingness to serve your fellow members.

The positions take time out of your busy schedules and dedication to get the job done, but those of us that have served before you know that you are capable of getting the job accomplished. For FWOA to remain strong it will require that all members take an active role in the Association and to get involved when requested.

As FWOA continues to work to publish a magazine to help strengthen our financial position, and our new Board gets up and running, I am confident that FWOA will continue to support those of us in the field that are striving to hold that "Thin Green Line".