A little more than two years after being the first woman and only the second biologist to take the helm as director at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Angi Bruce has abruptly resigned as director to take a job with Gov. Mark Gordon's administration until a new governor is installed in January.

The department isn't releasing any information other than she resigned and will become the director of special policy initiatives. In response to questions about the departure, the department said it did not have any further comment at this time.

The governor's office said Bruce was to start the new job Monday, Aug. 10. According to a Monday morning press release from Gordon's office, the director of special policy initiatives in the governor’s office will focus on leading the governor’s key federal natural resources topics, including but not limited to grizzly bears, sage grouse, shared stewardship and feedgrounds management.

"These are topics the governor has been focused on throughout his administration, and has prioritized making significant progress on for the remainder of the year. Bruce comes to this office with unique experience, talent and knowledge on such topics," according to the release. "Bruce will be responsible for working closely with our federal executive and congressional partners to ensure Wyoming continues our strong position on wildlife management, conservation, and state-led policies that benefit the people on-the-ground who work and live in the state." 

In a previous three-paragraph statement made Friday, the state announced her new position, but offered little explanation.

"Gov. Gordon thanks Bruce for her work as director and looks forward to continuing to work with her," said Gordon's Communications Director Amy Edmonds.

Some familiar with the inner workings of the department but wishing to remain anonymous have suggested there has been discontent with "a top-down" approach from management, which left many of those working in the field unhappy. Curiously, Bruce was in the Cody Region on July 30, taking a ride along with Powell area Game Warden Jordan Winter to learn more about the daily duties of a Cody Region warden.

Ride-along

Climbing in Winter's company truck isn't easy if attempted without long legs and a strong back. However, even Winter was "intimidated" at first to climb into his department-green, four-wheel-drive beast after he learned the now former director had picked him for a full-day ride along. It was part of a program for the former director to better understand conservation and law enforcement on the ground.

Winter is as tough as they come, but even the most secure employee would look to a full day of having the big boss along to watch you work without at least a few reservations.

Minutes after stepping on the gas and heading down the road, Winter and Bruce were deep in a conversation. Both state employees seemingly have a way of leading with kindness and the conversation only ended after hours on the road between Cody, Clark and the Beartooth Mountain range.

A farm girl from the terraced hills of southwest Iowa, Bruce spoke of trying to better understand work in the field after long-time wildlife biologist Tony Mong resigned and publicly complained about frustrations on the job, including his claim critical habitat was sacrificed by the department for a building site in Park County for the state shooting facility.

Bruce had already started the program to ride along with employees in the field, she said, and had encouraged her team to do the same.

"Not just me, but my whole executive leadership team, as well. So, we have different chiefs of the divisions and deputy chiefs and deputy directors [spending time with employees in the field]. So, all of us, not just me, remain in touch with the department employees," she said.

Next steps

Until the department or Bruce decides to disclose the nature of the abrupt job change, residents are left with few options other than the rumor mill swirling around the issue.

One statement Bruce made during the trip seems prophetic.

"There's always two sides of a story. And sometimes there's five sides to a story," she said in what was possibly her final media interview as director.

Bruce had been a key figure in the department since April 2019, where she previously served as the deputy director of external affairs. Her work was instrumental in addressing complex fish and wildlife management issues, including oversight of significant projects such as migration corridors, the recovery of endangered species like the black-footed ferret, according to the department. Her previous role involved extensive collaboration with state and federal partners, energy development companies and conservation organizations. 

Bruce’s expertise extended to managing the department’s wildlife environmental reviews, including crucial policies such as Gordon’s executive orders on sage grouse and big game migration corridor protections. She also played a vital role in Wyoming’s Wildlife and Roadways Initiative, navigating legislation and influencing state and federal policy. 

Deputy Director Eric Wiltanger, who assumed his current position March 1, 2024, has been named interim director. His previous position at Game and Fish was chief of the Services Division. 

“Stepping into a new role is more than assuming a title, it is about embracing a responsibility to guide the department with integrity and toward excellence,” Wiltanger said at the time. “With deep respect and commitment for the department’s mission and those entrusted to uphold it, we can ensure Wyoming’s wildlife heritage thrives for
future generations.” 

Wiltanger began his career with the State of Wyoming in 2010 and held various leadership positions with the Wyoming Department of Corrections and Division of Criminal Investigations. Before serving the state, he served in the United States Air Force for 20 years.