Matthew J. Hogan

Matthew J. Hogan was appointed acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service March 16, 2005, by Gale Norton, Secretary, Department of the Interior, "until a new director is nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate." Hogan, who had served as one of two deputy directors since his appointment in July 2002, replaced Steve Williams, who resigned. 

On July 15, 2005, it was announced that President Bush intended to nominate H. Dale Hall, director of the FWS Southwest Region based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as FWS director, subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. 

Hogan's Controversial Appointment
Con: "'Having a Safari Club lobbyist in charge, even temporarily, of the federal agency that is supposed to protect endangered species is precisely the wrong course to pursue for any Administration,' said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. 'Someone with a true wildlife conservation ethic, not an allegiance to the trophy hunting industry, should be nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the permanent director position as soon as possible.'"

Pro: John R. Monson, SCI president, said: "'It is unfortunate, however, ... that the animal extremists at the Humane Society of the United States have chosen to use Mr. Hogan’s appointment as yet another shameless opportunity to defame SCI’s sterling conservation reputation, all in the name of a publicity stunt.'"

Profile
While serving as Deputy Director for the Service, "Matt's focus include[d] Congressional relations and supporting the Director's emphasis on traditional partners of the Service, including hunting, fishing and sportsmen's groups as well as policy issues dealing with migratory birds and the National Wildlife Refuge System," his biographical note states. 

From November 1998 until his appointment to the Fish and Wildlife Service Hogan, Hogan was the "Conservation Policy Director of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, serving as a liaison between the hunting, fishing and conservation communities and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus."

Prior to this Hogan "served as Government Affairs Manager for Safari Club International, Legislative Director for Congressman Pete Geren of Texas, and Press Assistant for the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives."

Profiles

 * Profile: Matthew J. Hogan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, accessed August 2005.

Articles & Commentary

 * News Release: "Norton Names Matt Hogan Acting Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, March 16, 2005.
 * "Trophy Hunting Advocate Named Acting Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," Humane Society of the United States, March 18, 2005.
 * Tony Dean, "Safari Club Salutes Hogan as Choice to head USFWS - Temporarily," tonydean.com, March 2005.
 * Jessica Azuley, "Bush Gives Top Wildlife Protection Job to Trophy Hunter," New Standard News, March 20, 2005.
 * Allison A. Freeman, "Mixed Reviews for Bush's Choice to Lead Fish and Wildlife Service," Greenwire (Natural Resources Defense Council), July 18, 2005. Re H. Dale Hall.