The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission announced today that Christian Waters will serve as the agency’s next chief deputy director. For the last nine years, Waters has served as the agency’s chief of its Inland Fisheries Division.
As Chief Deputy Director, Waters will oversee the agency’s day-to-day operations and lead the agency’s Law Enforcement, Wildlife Management, Inland Fisheries and Habitat Conservation Divisions and Genetics Program. Waters will transition into his new role on Feb. 10.
A native of New Bern, North Carolina, Waters, age 51, resides in Smithfield with his wife, Susan, and their daughter, Cooper. Waters holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Mount Olive College and a master’s degree in zoology with a minor in statistics from NC State University. Waters began his career with the agency in 1998 as the District 1 Assistant Fisheries Biologist. Over the next 27 years, he served in a number or roles as the District 2 Fisheries Biologist, Piedmont Region Fisheries Research Coordinator, Piedmont Region Fisheries Supervisor and Assistant Chief of the Inland Fisheries division.
“Christian’s critical thinking and strategic problem-solving skills will be a great asset to the agency,” said Kyle Briggs, the Commission’s executive director. “I have worked alongside him for much of our careers and he has consistently demonstrated his dedication to the agency and passion for conservation.”
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is the state agency dedicated to the conservation and wise management of fish and wildlife, and the regulation of inland fishing, hunting, trapping and boating regulations. Agency operations include maintaining more than two million acres of public lands for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation; operating six fish hatcheries for stocking public waters; maintaining nine shooting ranges; providing hundreds of free boating access areas and publicly accessible places to fish on more than 100 different bodies of water; and offering free hunter education and recreational boating safety courses.
# # #
About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities.
Purchase or a renew a fishing, trapping and hunting license and renew a vessel registration at gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com. Sign up to receive emails by topic, including conservation, game lands, rulemaking and more at N.C. Wildlife Email Updates.