Congratulations to Prof. Tom Kwak, Unit Leader of the NC Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, for being elected President of the Southern Division American Fisheries Society at their 2020 annual conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The American Fisheries Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources.  The Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society was established in 1952 and it is comprised of  nearly 1,900 AFS members from the southern states who meet regularly to discuss research findings and management applications pertaining to the region.  The current membership of the Southern Division is composed of Society members in good standing residing in, or having an interest in the fishery resources and related technical information of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean Islands. There are 18 chapters and 25 student subunits in the Southern Division.

“So great to see so many old friends and make new ones,” says Kwak.  “And the students especially are doing some outstanding science! I look forward to working with all these talented scientists in my year as President – doing some good for our members, fisheries, and aquatic ecosystems!”

Congratulations, Tom!

All of the committee members in the top photo were installed at the Business Meeting at the 2020 Annual Conference on February 21, 2020, in Little Rock, AR.  Wes is a PhD graduate from NCSU Applied Ecology, advised by Rich Noblem, and a current professor at MS State University. Jessica is an MS graduate from NCSU Applied Ecology, advised by Tom Kwak, and a current Research Associate in the NCSU Crop Sciences Department in CALS.