Inaugural Texas Game Warden Citizen’s Academy Graduates Recognized
Twelve graduates of the first-ever Texas Game Warden Citizen’s Academy were recognized at Thursday’s public meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. “After working with the game wardens since 2007, I wanted to bring to light the amazing work being done around the state,” said Margaret Martin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner and 2015 Citizen’s Academy graduate.
“The citizen’s academy became the perfect platform to showcase the various facets that make up daily life for Texas Game Wardens.” The Citizen’s Academy was taught by game wardens from across the state and was structured to provide an inside view of game warden duties. The curriculum of the course included an overview of programs including game warden training, penal code and wildlife conservation law, land and marine patrol techniques, outreach, boating accident investigations and reconstruction, criminal investigations, search and rescue, K9 operations, officer safety, technology and recruiting.
“The different programs that we were introduced to were eye-opening,” said Martin. “As state police officers, game wardens are on the front lines for Texas both on and off the pavement. They are involved in everything from game violations to border security and natural disaster response efforts. This academy was very educational and allowed us to explore what Texas game wardens experience in the field.”
The course was divided into five sessions spanning from June-October. Graduates include:
- Robby Byers – Executive Director of Coastal Conservation Association of Texas
- Bill Horabin – Former President and Director of Asista Corporation, the stockholder of several independently operated long-term health care centers in the greater Austin area and San Antonio
- Vol Montgomery – Owner of the Reveille Peak Ranch and founder of SabreData, Inc.
- John Nelson – Chairman of the Operation Game Thief Committee and a member of the Board of Governors for the Round Rock Community Foundation
- Craig Rosenstein – President of the Lewis Energy Group, L.P.
- Scot Sanderson – President of the CCA Austin Chapter, board member of the state and executive boards of the CCA
- Eric Stumberg – Founder and CEO of the custom high-speed internet access provider, TengoInternet
- Bob Starnes – Founder and CEO of Ontra Companies, a holding firm focused on real estate and healthcare
- Ben Stratmann – Chief of staff for Sen. Brian Birdwell
- Susan Houston – Philanthropic Giving Director with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
- Jay Kleberg – Associate Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
- Commissioner Margaret Martin – Member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission since 2007, a rancher, conservationist, and an independent international businesswoman specializing in bringing companies and individuals together in business development, energy, oil, and gas.
Due to the success of the program, the Law Enforcement division at TPWD is planning to host future citizen’s academies with dates and attendees to be determined.
