Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife appoints new commissioner

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Rich Storm was appointed the new commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources on Jan. 7.

Storm, an avid sportsman, graduated from Morehead State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science. He joined the Department of Fish and Wildlife more than two years ago when he was elected to serve as the chairman of the nine-member commission in August 2016.

Storm replaces Frank Jemley of Louisville, who has served as the agency’s acting commissioner since March 2018.

“Rich Storm has been an exemplary leader in his time on the Fish and Wildlife Commission,” said Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Don Parkinson. “We are happy to welcome him into this new role and are confident in his ability to promote unity, accountability, and transparency throughout the agency.”

Storm joined the Fish and Wildlife Commission more than two years ago (August 2016) as the eighth district representative. In September of 2018, Storm was elected to serve as the chairman of the nine-member commission. Announcement of his new position will result in a new vacancy on the commission.

“It is an honor to serve a department that I love and have always respected,” Storm said. “My family and I are beyond excited for this opportunity. I look forward to working with our sportsmen and sportswomen and the many fine employees of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Together, we can continue building on this department’s legacy.”

Storm is a farmer, and also currently serves as the general manager of PICI Staffing. Through his work with the staffing agency, Storm has gained experience in various industries, including mining, automotive and manufacturing.

Storm lives in Carlisle with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters.

Secretary Parkinson also thanked Jemley for his leadership over the past 10 months.

“We appreciate Frank’s efforts as acting commissioner of Fish and Wildlife Resources,” Parkinson added. “He has done wonders for this agency and certainly left it in a better condition than he received it.”