Major Chris Blankenship has been promoted to Director of the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The appointment was effective May 1.

 

Blankenship, a graduate of Alba High School and the University of South Alabama, has served as acting director of the department since July 2010. Blankenship, who has been in the division for 17 years, was named head of Marine Resources’ Enforcement Section in 2008.

 

“It gives me great pleasure to promote Chris to the director’s position,” said N. Gunter Guy Jr., Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “He has been acting director for the past nine months and has fulfilled that role admirably. He has shown he’s a good leader and well qualified for the promotion.”

 

Blankenship, who is married with three children, said he is looking forward to working with his staff and community to continue to improve Alabama’s marine resources.

 

“Alabama is blessed with great inshore and offshore fishing, some of the best seafood on the Gulf of Mexico and a very productive estuary in Mobile Bay,” Blankenship said. “The Alabama Gulf Coast is truly a natural treasure and my goal is to continue to provide quality outdoor recreation, as well as maintaining the resource that provides high quality seafood to Alabama and the nation.”

 

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

 

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