Seven in contention for state wildlife post

The state Wildlife Commission will interview the seven applicants July 9 and 10 in Reno, and forward the names of three finalists to state Conservation chief Pete Morros who has final say.

Division employees vying for the job are Larry Barngrover, regional manager of the Region II office in Elko; Robert Buonamici, the deputy chief game warden in charge of the division's anti-poaching program; Terry Crawforth, deputy administrator of the division; and Richard Heap, regional manager of the Region I office in Fallon.

The other candidates are Monica Schwalbach, assistant forest supervisor for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Ely; Tom Spalding, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Game and Fish; and Ray Lee, wildlife specialist supervisor for the same agency.

"I think we've got seven highly qualified people," said Don Cavin of Hawthorne, chairman of the nine-member Wildlife Commission.

The person chosen for the job must have a degree in wildlife management, but Cavin said he thinks budget and administration are the two most important issues faced by the new administrator.

"The administrator has all kinds of biologists and game people to rely on," he said. "My personal opinion is that the big concern is with administration and budget."

Molini decided to retire after 30 years, the last 16 as chief of the agency.

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