Sam D. Hamilton (July 5, 1955 – February 20, 2010) was the 15th director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from September 1, 2009, until February 20, 2010.[1]

Sam Hamilton
15th Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
In office
September 1, 2009 (2009-09-01) – February 20, 2010 (2010-02-20)
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byH. Dale Hall
Succeeded byDaniel Ashe
Personal details
Born(1955-07-05)July 5, 1955
Lawrenceville, Georgia
DiedFebruary 20, 2010(2010-02-20) (aged 54)
Keystone, Colorado
Alma materMississippi State University

Hamilton, a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, received his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in 1977.[1]

Prior to his appointment as Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Hamilton served as the agency's southeast regional director, based in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] Hamilton was credited with leading the restoration efforts in the Florida Everglades.[1] He also oversaw coastal fort restoration efforts along the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, both of which damaged wildlife refuges, wetlands and other habitats.[1]

He was appointed the director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 2009 and was sworn in on September 15, 2009.[1] As director, Hamilton oversaw 8,700 employees who are responsible for nearly 150,000,000 acres (610,000 km2), including approximately 550 national wildlife refuges nationwide.[1]

Sam Hamilton suffered a heart attack while skiing at the Keystone Resort in Keystone, Colorado.[1] He died on February 20, 2010, at the age of 54. He was survived by his wife, Becky; sons, Sam Jr. and Clay; and a grandson, Davis.[1]

In February 2012, the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, was renamed to Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in honor of Hamilton.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife dies". NBC News. 2010-02-20. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
  2. ^ "Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge". US Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
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