Napolitano names Freeman to AGFD Commission

PHOENIX -- Governor Janet Napolitano has nominated Chino Valley resident Norm Freeman to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. He will replace Michael Golightly, whose term expires this year.

“Norm Freeman is a strong advocate for hunting and fishing and is committed to fulfilling the mission of Arizona Game and Fish,” Governor Napolitano said. “He has many varied experiences that will help him serve Arizona very well in this role.”

Freeman is currently the President of the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Arizona and a member of Board of the Chino Valley Irrigation District, as well as the President of the Carousel Charity Horse Show. He has previously served as the Vice Chair of the Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission.

Freeman’s work with wildlife has been extensive. Among other business ventures, he is the founder of Elemental Technology, a firm which developed wildlife tracking software for wildlife biologists and regulatory bodies. In 1994, he founded “Wildflight,” a privately funded operation to relocate wildlife, using corporate and private aircraft to move many species, including black bears, owls, hawks, eagles, osprey, and California Condors.

Freeman has been extensively involved with the preservation of California Condors in particular, participating in the California Condor Recovery Team – a multi-agency team including the Arizona Game and Fish Department – which defined the federal protocol for moving this endangered species. He also co-authored a successful behavior modification program to reduce the juvenile predation of young California Condors by coyotes.

Freeman’s appointment requires confirmation by the Arizona Senate.

- from AZ Gov.