Arkansas Game and Fish Commission chief of staff tapped as interim director

Members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on Monday appointed their chief of staff to be the agency’s interim director, effective Jan. 4.

Monday’s special-called meeting was primarily held in a private executive session, and members approved Chris Racey’s appointment with no public discussion.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission director announces resignation

They also voted to send a formal request to state human resources and fiscal officials to obtain information from three search firms to help identify the next AGFC director. Chairman J.D. Neeley estimated the price to be below a $75,000 procurement threshold for a request for proposal (RFP).

Racey, 49, did not address the commission during Monday’s meeting, but he told the Advocate afterward that he was “really grateful for the commissioners’ confidence in me to serve as the interim director in a few weeks.”

Racey has worked with the agency since 2005, starting as a fish biologist and working his way up to the director’s office. He said he’s nearly “hit every rung on the ladder.”

Director Austin Booth announced his resignation, which is effective Jan. 4, at the conclusion of the agency’s regular November meeting. Though Booth didn’t announce his next professional endeavor at the meeting, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette later reported that Booth will become the CEO of Banded Holdings, a parent company to several brands in the waterfowl hunting industry.

Booth became the agency’s director in June 2021. He previously served as a captain in the United States Marine Corps. Before becoming AGFC’s director, he worked as the chief of staff and chief financial officer at the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, according to AGFC.

Racey said he was thankful for Booth’s three and a half years of leadership at the AGFC and he is looking forward to working with Booth over the next few weeks until he leaves office.

Though there’s no way to know how long the search for a permanent director will last, Racey said he’s prepared to stay as long as the commission and state need him.

“[AGFC] is a phenomenal place to work, and we’re so blessed to work in a state that loves the outdoors,” Racey said. “They love conservation, hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and it’s an honor to be able to work with the staff here at the agency that love those things too.”

Racey lives in Maumelle.