By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

BETHLEHEM – The state may get its first female executive director of the Fish and Game Department.

Stephanie Lynn Simek of Olympia, Washington, has been nominated by Gov. Chris Sununu to replace outgoing Scott Mason in the role when he steps away Aug. 7.

Sununu made the announcement at the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem where the state’s Executive Council met Wednesday.

The council will consider her nomination and vote on a later date.

The recommendation to nominate Simek came from the state’s Fish and Game Commission which undertook a nationwide search this spring.

She is currently regional manager of Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and has held that role since 2022.

Prior to that she was a Natural Resource Scientist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and has been a wildlife biologist for the earlier part of her career.

She holds a doctor of philosophy in forest resources from Mississippi State University, earned her master of science in environmental and forest biology from State University of New York in Syracuse in 1995 and a bachelor of science degree in forestry and wildlife, with a minor in biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and state University in Blacksburg, Va.

If confirmed by the executive council, Simek will begin work effective Oct. 4 and receive a salary of $126,384.

Her term would be through Aug. 4, 2028.