Tennessee Names Doug Schoenrock Wildlife Agency Chief
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously appointed the Arkansas Game and Fish director to lead the TWRA beginning January 2027.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
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The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously appointed Doug Schoenrock as Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency during a specially called meeting. Schoenrock, who has led the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission since April 2025, will take over January 4, 2027, succeeding Jason Maxedon, who retires November 30, 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment fills the top leadership role of a state agency overseeing more than 700 employees and an annual budget of approximately $180 million. It marks the transition from Maxedon's tenure to a new director with prior state wildlife commission experience in Arkansas.
The TWRA Executive Director oversees more than 700 employees and an annual budget of approximately $180 million, with the advertised salary set at $243,468 per year. The commission's vote to appoint Schoenrock was unanimous, but the stub does not specify any planned changes to agency budget or staffing under his leadership.
The players
Doug Schoenrock
Schoenrock is a 67-year-old wildlife administrator who has led the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission since April 2025 and is a Middle Tennessee native.
Jason Maxedon
Maxedon is the outgoing TWRA Executive Director who served the agency until his retirement announced in July 2026.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
The TWRA is the Tennessee state agency responsible for managing the state's wildlife, fisheries, and boating regulations.
Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission
The commission is the Tennessee body that governs the TWRA and appoints its Executive Director.
The details
Schoenrock, 67, was selected during a special commission meeting Thursday afternoon that lasted less than 10 minutes. Maxedon announced his retirement in July 2026 in a video message to employees, citing family considerations, and plans to move to West Tennessee. Torrey Grimes, the agency's chief legal counsel, will serve as interim director until Schoenrock takes office.
Timeline
- April 21, 2025: Schoenrock began serving as Arkansas Game and Fish Commission director.
- July 21, 2026: Maxedon announced his retirement in a video message to employees.
- November 5, 2026: The commission appointed Schoenrock at a special meeting.
- November 30, 2026: Maxedon's retirement takes effect.
- January 4, 2027: Schoenrock officially becomes TWRA Executive Director.
Leadership Lineage
The commission that appointed Schoenrock is the same body that governs the agency and previously oversaw Maxedon's tenure, making this a planned succession rather than a departure from existing oversight. Schoenrock's move from Arkansas, where he has led a comparable state wildlife commission since April 2025, places a sitting wildlife administrator from a neighboring state at the head of TWRA.
Tennessee hunters, anglers, and boaters who rely on TWRA licensing and regulations will be served by a new director beginning January 2027. The transition means agency programs continue under interim leadership until Schoenrock takes office.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at state wildlife agencies can shape licensing, conservation, and enforcement priorities for years, so readers should watch for the new director's first announcements in early 2027.
What happens next
Schoenrock officially takes over as TWRA Executive Director on January 4, 2027, and Maxedon's retirement becomes effective November 30, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Tennessee People coverage for context on state leadership decisions.
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