AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously named Dr. David Yoskowitz of Corpus Christi as the new Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Dr. Yoskowitz will replace Carter Smith who announced in June that he would be retiring in January 2023 after serving as executive director for 15 years.

Dr. Yoskowitz has been serving as the Senior Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi since July of 2020. He has spent much of his career on the A&M-Corpus Christi campus, holding both faculty and administrative positions over the past 20 years.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a $400 million per year budget and employs over 3,000 staff at 199 regional offices, state parks, wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, and other facilities across the state. The mission of the agency is “to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.”

Senator Hinojosa released the following statement on the naming of Dr. Yoskowitz as the new executive director:

"Congratulations to Dr. David Yoskowitz on his appointment as the new Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. As a Texan, Dr. Yoskowitz knows and understands how important the functions of this agency are to Texans. As a Coastal Bend resident and Director of the Harte Research Institute, he has played a key role and worked on research and developed policies that balance both the economic and environmental health of the Gulf of Mexico region. I have no doubt that given his graduate degrees in economics, his decades of service at the Harte Research Institute, and his passion for conservation and education, Dr. David Yoskowitz will do a great service to all Texans. I wish him much success and look forward to working with him during the upcoming legislative session.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to Carter Smith for his leadership and service to the State of Texas. He was an excellent Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. His legacy includes acquiring new public lands, successfully managing and administering grant funding approved by the Legislature for parks in many communities across the state, launching initiatives and programs for children and families to get outdoors, and for protecting our natural resources for future generations of fishermen, hunters, and our families to enjoy. I wish him a happy and healthy retirement."

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