DWR appoints new director

New DWR director was awarded 2024 Employee of the Year award with J. Shirley (left) and Joel Ferry (right). Photo: courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

SALT LAKE CITY — Riley Peck has been appointed the new director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), a role he assumed on Monday, Jan. 13. Peck, who has served as the DWR’s legislative liaison since 2019, takes over from J. Shirley, who retired on Dec. 31, 2024.

Peck has worked with the DWR for 19 years. He started as a native aquatics technician in 2006 and worked his way up to wildlife biologist and Central Regional Wildlife Manager before becoming the Once-In-A-Lifetime Species Coordinator in 2019.

“During his 19-year career with the DWR, Riley has garnered a lot of experience and knowledge and has also proven himself as an exceptional employee — he was recently named the 2024 DNR employee of the year,” said DWR Executive Director Joel Ferry. “I feel confident in his ability to oversee the management of Utah’s fish and wildlife.”

Peck has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in plant and wildlife science from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, respectively. His love for the outdoors and wildlife conservation is reflected in his career choices.

“I have always loved wildlife, fishing, hunting, camping and all things outdoors and always had a desire to operate in that space,” Peck said. “Getting to do what I am passionate about as a living has been a great privilege, and I feel truly lucky that I have had the opportunity to work in wildlife management.”

Peck’s directorial objectives include expanding the DWR’s current data collection efforts to enhance wildlife management throughout Utah. “At the DWR, we have made a lot of strides to gather some of the best wildlife data in the entire U.S.,” Peck said. “As director, I’d like us to continue to build on that and use that information to manage our wildlife species in Utah even more effectively.”

Peck currently resides in Eagle Mountain, Utah County, and enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping with his wife and kids.