Doug Schoenrock named as new director of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Doug Schoenrock was named the 20th director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Monday (April 21). He replaces former director Austin Booth, who resigned from the position earlier this year.

Schoenrock, a hunter with many years of experience in conservation and business management, will assume the role in May 2025. The commission made the announcement following a comprehensive search and selection process that began in January.

AGFC Commission Chairman J.D. Neeley of Camden said he was thrilled to welcome Schoenrock as the next Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

“Doug’s deep understanding of wildlife conservation, coupled with his proven business leadership abilities, makes him the ideal person to lead the agency forward,” said AGFC Commission Chairman J.D. Neeley. “We are confident that under his guidance, the AGFC will continue its vital work in protecting and managing Arkansas’s diverse fish and wildlife resources.”

Schoenrock holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science from the University of Tennessee. His professional career began at Sara Lee Corporation, where he worked for more than 20 years in research and development, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and sales. He later spent 19 years in senior management at Savannah Food Company.

He has served since 2002 on the Ducks Unlimited national board of directors. Schoenrock also served as DU’s president from 2020-22 and chairman of the board from 2022-24. While a volunteer at DU, he was instrumental in developing conservation strategies, managing large-scale habitat projects and fostering partnerships with stakeholders. Under his chairmanship, Ducks Unlimited surpassed 1 million acres of habitat protected in a single year — a milestone in the organization’s history.

“I’m honored to join the men and women of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. I’m deeply grateful for the trust placed in me, and I thank Chairman J.D. Neeley, Vice-Chairman Anne Marie Doramus, and all the commissioners for their professionalism and leadership throughout this process,” Schoenrock said.

“I look forward to working with the commissioners, the Arkansas General Assembly, Gov. Sarah Sanders, and all of AGFC’s partners to advance the mission of conservation and stewardship on behalf of all Arkansans and the many visitors who experience the beauty of The Natural State. Arkansas is home to remarkable biodiversity, strong communities and limitless opportunities for outdoor education and recreation. It’s a privilege to help protect and promote this treasured landscape,” he added.